ABefore this “D-Day”, the pressure is mounting, but the two opponents act as if nothing has happened. As if playing a first final since the 1966 World Cup couldn’t make the English legs tremble. As if facing a massively hostile public did not make Italians think twice.
“We are very calm. We have great confidence in our players and we have grown during this tournament ”, assured England coach Gareth Southgate on Saturday. “We must be quiet, knowing that it will be a very difficult match for a lot of reasons,” said his Italian counterpart Roberto Mancini.
In any case, the mythical stadium in north-west London has been waiting for such a party for a long time. It is already here that the selection of the “Three Lions” won its only major trophy by lifting the World Cup a little over half a century ago, under the leadership of Alf Ramsey.
65,000 supporters expected
In 1966, Southgate was not born. The elegant 50-year-old bearded man, with a “so British” phlegm, is part of this generation which has chained up disappointments one after the other. In the semifinals of Euro-1996, in a packed Wembley, it was even he who missed the last shot on goal against Germany (1-1, 5-6 tab).
The former player has long suffered from reproaches and insults, but this dark period is beautiful and well over. Now, English fans sing to his glory in the subway, pubs or at the stadium, with the heady “You’re the one” inspired by a hit by the pop group Atomic Kitten.
And the atmosphere promises to be very festive on Sunday even if the London police force strongly advised against spontaneous fan gatherings in the face of the outbreak of COVID-19 cases linked to the more contagious Delta variant.
Wembley stadium is expected to melt again, as in the overtime victory won Wednesday against Denmark (2-1), in front of the 64,950 spectators identified by UEFA.
Sunday evening, the Italians will have to scream to be heard since less than 10,000 tickets will be reserved for them. The majority of these places will be occupied by Italian fans living in Great Britain. Only a thousand supporters from Italy have been allowed to dribble through the quarantine imposed on foreigners, provided they provide a negative PCR test, take dedicated flights and respect a period of isolation on return.
Outnumbered at Wembley, some Italians have also criticized in recent hours the questionable penalty awarded to the English against Denmark, saying they fear a possible favoritism towards the English hosts.
“The controversies over the risk of a possible unfavorable arbitration do not do honor to our sporting tradition”, evacuated Gabriele Gravina, president of the Italian Federation.
And for the Italian defender Leonardo Bonucci, no question of arguing: “We only think about playing football, having fun and bringing enthusiasm. The rest is chatter, ”slipped the Juventus Turin player.
“Give the maximum and basta!”
At 34, Bonucci is the last survivor, with his defense friend Giorgio Chiellini, of the Euro-2012 final lost against Spain (0-4).
Since then, the rating of the “Azzurri” had disintegrated with the failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, a disaster in the country of Marco Verratti and Lorenzo Insigne.
Victorious over Spain (1-1 ap, 4-2 tab) Tuesday on penalties, the attractive Italy straightened by Roberto Mancini now dreams of repeating the feat of the Portuguese in 2016, they who had shattered the hopes of France , host country.
“Of course, by going to the final, the pressure and the responsibility increase, but you have to give your maximum and basta! There are no recipes, you have to give the best, ”Dino Zoff, goalkeeper of the 1982 world champions and former coach of the Nazionale, told AFP.
The challenge is in any case immense against an England team renowned for its iron defense, only caught in the absence of a Danish free kick, its attack drawn upwards by the formidable Kane and the elusive Raheem Sterling, and who has, with Mason Mount and Jack Grealish, leaders to match. Make way for the grand finale!
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