By: Adamo Marinelli
July 19, 2021
For the second time in 53 years, Italy are European Champions. In the EURO 2020 final on July 11, they defeated England 3-2 on penalties after tying 1-1 through 120 minutes.
After an early goal by Luke Shaw to put England up 1-0 in the second minute - the fastest goal in European Championship history - Italy controlled the rest of the game, handily winning time of possession, controlling the pace, out-chancing England, and registering more shots and shots on target than England. Leonardo Bonucci tied the game in the 67th minute.
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma - who has been excellent all tournament, registering three clean sheets - made three saves in the penalty shootout to help Italy secure the victory. He was named the Player of the Tournament.
Roberto Mancini took over as manager in 2018 after Italy failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. The last time they missed the World Cup was six decades ago in 1958.
Mancini’s brilliance - both schematically and in terms of selecting a team with lots of talent and depth at all positions - helped Italy to rebound nicely, regain momentum and return to their winning ways.
Italy won all seven games at the EUROs - defeating both Turkey and Switzerland 3-0 and Wales 1-0 in the group stage, topping Austria 2-1 after extra time in the round of 16, knocking off number one ranked Belgium 2-1 in the quarterfinals, beating Spain 1-1 (4-2) in the semi-finals and dominating England for the final 115 minutes to win 1-1 (3-2) in the finals.
Italy has now won 34 consecutive matches. That streak includes all 10 of their EURO qualifier matches in which they scored 37 goals and only conceded four. Italy has never posted a perfect record in qualifying for a major competition before the EURO qualifiers. They also finished first place in their 2021 Nations League group ahead of the Netherlands and have won all three of their 2022 World Cup qualifier matches that they’ve played so far.
Before they conceded against Austria, they hadn’t conceded a goal in over 1150 minutes or 12 matches. Before they conceded to England in the final, they hadn’t trailed in over 1750 minutes or about 18 matches.
They are only one win away from Spain and Brazil who both hold the record of most consecutive matches going unbeaten with 35. Spain did it from 2007-2009 and Brazil did it from 1993-1996.
Italy has not lost since a friendly against Portugal in September of 2018.
After a 1-0 aggregate loss to Sweden in the fall of 2017, which caused Italy to miss the 2018 World Cup, and after failing to adapt to a more modern play style, manager Gian Piero Ventura was fired after a 16-month tenure.
When Mancini took over in 2018, Giorgio Chiellini, Gigi Buffon, Andrea Barzagli and Daniele De Rossi had all announced their decision to retire. Andrea Pirlo had already retired in late 2017. Only Chiellini would decide to return to play for his country.
Despite Italy being at an all-time low, all the hardship they’ve faced, and losing a lot of talent, Mancini brought with him to Italy his 4-3-3 formation which focuses on playing excellent defense that limits opposing shots and shots on goal and sends multiple men to the ball carrier to stop attacks before they start. They also control play in the midfield, often win the possession time battle, and they rely on their transition attack and their speed to turn defense into offense.
Mancini also brought with him a coaching staff consisting of Gianluca Vialli, the team coordinator; Massimo Battara, the goalkeeping coach; Guilio Nucari, the technical coach; and Fausto Salsano another technical coach. Mancini allegedly would only take the coaching job in Italy if guys like Vialli, Battara, and Nucari were hired with him.
Another thing Mancini did well is forming a team identity using the players around him, not forcing a new scheme on the guys. Part of this is because Mancini picked a team with a lot of depth at every position and guys who could fit effectively into his 4-3-3 formation.
Chiellini and Andrea Bonucci are two of the best center backs in the world as shown in their shutdown performance of every elite striker at the EUROs. Giovanni DiLorenzo and Leonardo Spinazzola are both great outside defenders who prevent opposing offenses from advancing down the flank and at the same time have the speed to bring the ball up the field and start offensive attacks in transition. Spinazzola was a threat on the left side of the offense, which Mancini used a lot during the EUROs to generate scoring chances.
The midfield consisting of Jorginho, Marco Veratti, and Nicolo Barela are all gifted players and their talents complement each other. Jorginho organizes the play and uses his creativity to set the offense up, Veratti is not afraid to shoot the ball with power and precision and Barela is always using his speed to find open spaces in the defense.
Lorenzo Insigne and Frederico Chiesa both provide speed, creativity, excellent dribbling, a powerful shot, and play a lot on the flanks which opens up space in the middle for Ciro Immobile who is a real goal-scoring threat. Immobile did not score many goals at the EUROs but was an excellent playmaker.
Finally, at only 22 years old, Gianluigi Donnarumma is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. His three clean sheets, his skill in penalty shootouts, and winning Player of the Tournament at the EUROs prove it.
In addition, Italy has many talented substitute players that can fit into Mancini’s scheme very
well and can influence a match as much as any starter. Andrea Belotti is a physical striker who scores a lot and is physical, Emerson and Francesco Acerbi are physical and speedy defenders with great passing abilities, Manuel Locatelli and Matteo Pessina are both excellent midfielders who can set up teammates, generate shots and score too. They each scored multiple goals at the EUROs. Domenico Berardi is a great playmaker and is a threat in the open field.
Their depth turned out to be extremely important. Veratti didn’t actually start the group stage matches because of an injury, but Manuel Locatelli fit in well with the other 10 starters and played well, scoring twice against Switzerland. Spinazzola who suffered an ACL tear against Belgium in the quarters was replaced by Emerson in the final two games and despite not being on Spinazzola’s talent level, he played well on defense and on the counterattack which helped Italy win both games. Without the depth, who knows if Italy would’ve won it all.
Their talent, depth, and fantastic coaching all helped Italy win their second European Championship and their sixth major title. They have also won four World Cups (1934, 1938, 1982, and 2006). Italy is one of the most successful nations at the international football level.
After their triumphant win at EURO 2020, Mancini and his men have their hopes set on the next big tournament. The 2022 Qatar World Cup.
After not having played in a World Cup as a player (he was a reserve in both the 1990 and 1994 World Cups), Mancini has the chance to finally coach in one.
Italy is 3-0-0 in World Cup qualifiers so far and their next game is September 2, 2021, against Bulgaria. Italy is favoured to win their group and earn a spot in the illustrious tournament for the first time since 2014.
Coming off their EURO title, they have plenty of talent and momentum and are one of the best teams in not only Europe but also the world. They will be a favourite to win the World Cup if everyone can stay healthy. That would be their fifth title - which would tie Brazil for the most of all time.
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