The second quarter-final of Euro 2020 pits two nations among the favorites for the final victory.

Belgium finds Italy for the revenge of Euro 2016, where Squadra Azzura had won brilliantly in the group stage (2-0).

A promising reunion between two nations who want to win the title.

Here are two teams that respond well to their status as title contenders.

Belgium and Italy, two nations that finished at the top of their group, meet in the quarter-finals of Euro 2020 on Friday evening at the Allianz Arena in Munich (9 p.m.).

The Belgians, strong in their golden generation, want to conquer their first major title.

For Italy, it could be a second European trophy, long after its last success in 1968, another era.

However, these two nations do not present themselves with the same references at the last World Cup in 2018: the Red Devils climbed to third place, while Italy failed to qualify.

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Two qualified teams in difficulty

If they have not achieved the same performances lately, Belgium and Italy both qualified in difficulty in the quarter-finals.

Coach Roberto Mancini's Squadra Azzura needed extra time to make the difference against Austria (2-1 ap) in the round of 16.

The Red Devils, for their part, managed to capitalize on the distant goal of Thorgen Hazard, Eden's brother, and repel all the assaults of Portugal (1-0) to continue the European adventure.

Two nations jostled therefore, but more than ever in contention in a difficult part of the table.

In the semi-final, the winner of the match will face either Switzerland or Spain in London.

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Italy: the blow of Euro 2016?

In the history of the confrontations, Italy can rely on a benchmark victory against Belgium, at Euro 2016. At the Parc OL in Lyon, the Squadra Azzura, already in reconstruction and without a big star, had delivered a remarkable collective performance against the Red Devils, presented as potential favorites, in the group stage to finally win 2 goals to 0.

History can repeat itself with the Nazionale of Roberto Mancini, coach since the non-qualification for the 2018 World Cup. The tactician is today on a historic momentum: Italy has not lost for 31 consecutive matches, ie the longest series in its history.

The former Manchester City coach in particular has put Squadra Azzura back on the right track, and his collective game is once again enjoying the Euro.

Evidenced by the number of different goal scorers (5) since the start of the competition.

A team performance that will serve him well against the Red Devils.

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The question: Will De Bruyne and Hazard be restored?

Opposite, Belgium arrives in Munich with a lot of uncertainties. His two best elements Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne came out again through injury in the last match, against Portugal in the round of 16 (1-0 victory). They could miss the quarter-final, admitted coach Roberto Martinez, while assuring that their tournament was "not over". "It will be a race against time to get them ready for Friday's game," the technician at the head of the Red Devils told the Belga agency.

Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne came out moments after suffering a heavy tackle to his ankle. For Madrid's Eden Hazard, it was a pain in the thigh that forced him to ask for a change at the end of the game. But the coach wants to be reassuring: "Their tournament is still relevant and is not over for them". To see if they will be restored on Friday evening for a new decisive match in the race for the European title.