England ready for big test against 'revitalised' Italy in Euro 2024 qualifier

England return to Euro 2024 qualifying action on Tuesday when they take on reigning champions Italy at a sold-out Wembley Stadium.

Manager Gareth Southgate named a much-changed line-up for Friday's home friendly against Australia with the only goal of the game coming just before the hour mark courtesy of Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins.

Next up will be the Group C match against Italy with the Three Lions sitting top of the table having won four and drawn one of their games so far. The Azzurri are third, six points behind.

It will be the fourth time the teams have clashed since Italy won the Euro 2020 final after beating Southgate's side on penalties.

But this will be the first reunion under the famous Wembley arch with their previous meetings coming in Wolverhampton, Milan and then Naples.

It has been turbulent period for the Italians who failed to reach last year's World Cup finals in Qatar then saw manager Roberto Mancini quit to take over the Saudi Arabia national team.

Luciano Spalletti – who guided Napoli to their first Serie A title in more than 30 years last season – is now the coach of a new-look team that host Malta on Saturday evening before heading over to London.

Last time out, England ran out 2-1 winners against Mancini's side at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona when Harry Kane scored a penalty just before half-time that saw him overtake Wayne Rooney to become England's all-time leading scorer on 54 goals.

But Southgate believes the Italians are an improved outfit under Spalletti as England look to seal qualification for next year's finals in Germany.

“Italy look revitalised under Spalletti,” Southgate said. “They were excellent against Ukraine last month. They're a top-10 nation.

“We've talked about these