In three years, Italy has gone from a failed World Cup qualifier to a perfect qualifying campaign for the European Championship. It’s a transformation that came sooner than expected under the leadership of coach Roberto Mancini, who found the right mix of young players and veterans to create optimism around a squad that had lost all confidence. in her.
“There are teams that are above us, but we don’t feel inferior to anyone and we want to surprise,” said veteran defender Leonardo Bonucci. Currently, in a 26-game unbeaten streak – the second longest streak in the team’s history, behind just 30 games from 1935 to 1939 under Vittorio Pozzo – Italy has the honor of hosting the match. opening of the tournament against Turkey on June 11. in Rome. Switzerland and Wales are also in Group A with the Azzurri.
WHO TO WATCH
While alternating center-forwards Ciro Immobile and Andrea Belotti are supposed to take care of the score, Italy’s strength is its large group of small but very effective wingers and midfielders. Left-back Lorenzo Insigne is considered Italy’s most talented player and his lack of use in the failure of the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign – especially when he was put on the bench in the playoffs against Sweden – irritated fans endlessly. On the other side is Federico Chiesa, the son of former Italian striker Enrico Chiesa, while Federico Bernardeschi remains another strong attacking option. Then, in midfield, the options are endless with Nicolò Barella, Jorginho, Manuel Locatelli, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Matteo Pessina – as well as Marco Verratti and Stefano Sensi, if injuries allow. Insigne, Verratti, Sensi, Barella and Chiesa all measure 1.75 meters (5 feet 9 inches) or less.
OLD GUARD
Captain Giorgio Chiellini and Bonucci are the only members of the team with more than 100 appearances. No other called players have even made 50 appearances. In addition, Chiellini and Bonucci remain incumbents on defense, although they now have reliable reinforcements in cancer survivor Francesco Acerbi, Gianluca Mancini and Alessandro Bastoni – who have settled in Lazio, Roma and Inter, respectively. Record-breaking goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has retired from international football after failing to qualify for the World Cup. He was replaced by Gianluigi Donnarumma, 22.
COVID CASES
Italy has been hit hard by the coronavirus. Mancini had to coach matches from a distance in November while in quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19, even though he was asymptomatic. Newly hired assistant Daniele De Rossi was hospitalized for more than a month with symptoms of pneumonia after being one of four staff members who contracted the virus during World Cup qualifying matches in March . Several players have also struggled with COVID-19, including Verratti, who tested positive in January and April. Verratti then injured his right knee in early May, but team medics believe he can return during the tournament.
MISSING PLAYERS
Besides Buffon, the biggest missing name is that of Mario Balotelli. Now 30, the striker who led Italy to the Euro 2012 final plays for Monza in Serie B after a series of problems on and off the pitch. After years of absence from the national team, Balotelli was called up when Mancini was first hired in 2018, but once again got lost. “I was hoping he would be proud to show that he could go back to being the player he had shown he could be,” said Mancini. “Unfortunately, Mario didn’t do much to get back to his top level. And that remains a big disappointment. Another missing key player is 21-year-old midfielder Nicolò Zaniolo, who torn ligaments in both knees in separate injuries last year and is still recovering.
CHANCES OF MOVING FORWARD
Four-time world champion, Italy’s only European title came in 1968. Although the Azzurri aren’t one of the big favorites this time around, they should advance to the knockout stages. Mancini, however, believes Italy can aim for the title, which would provide relief to one of the countries hardest hit by the pandemic. “We want to give the whole nation a reason to celebrate,” said Mancini, “especially given what we’ve been through over the past year and a half. “
Euro 2020: Italy sheet
Previous performance of the euro: Nine participations, 1968 winners
Other distinctions: World Cup winners 1934, 1938, 1982, 2006
FIFA Ranking: 7
Nickname: The Azzurri
Coach: Roberto Mancini
Star players: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Marco Verratti, Ciro Immobile
Main clubs: Juventus, AC Milan, Inter Milan
How did they qualify: Won Group J
Pre-Euro Friendly:
Italy 7 San Marino 0 (28 May)
Italy v Czech Republic (June 4)
Provisional squad of 28 players:
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma (AC Milan), Alex Meret (Naples), Salvatore Sirigu (Turin)
Defenders: Francesco Acerbi (Lazio), Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Naples), Emerson Palmieri (Chelsea / ENG), Alessandro Florenzi (Paris Saint-Germain / FRA) ), Gianluca Mancini (Roms), Leonardo Spinazzola (Roms), Rafael Toloi (Atalanta)
Midfielder: Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan), Bryan Cristante (Rome), Jorginho (Chelsea / ENG), Manuel Locatelli (Sassuolo), Lorenzo Pellegrini (Rome), Matteo Pessina (Atalanta), Stefano Sensi (Inter Milan), Marco Verratti (Paris ) Saint-Germain / FRA)
Before: Andrea Belotti (Turin), Domenico Berardi (Sassuolo), Federico Bernardeschi (Juventus), Federico Chiesa (Juventus), Ciro Immobile (Lazio), Lorenzo Insigne (Naples), Matteo Politano (Naples).
(With AFP inputs)
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