This summer’s European Championship promises to be a wide-open tussle for the title. There is always a dark horse for a surprise run in the tournament. Italy Euro 2020 – could gli Azzurri be that surprise package this year?
Italy Euro 2020 – A Second Trophy for gli Azzurri?
The Italian Stallion Very Much a Dark Horse
Roberto Mancini has fostered a winning mentality, with his Italian side on a fantastic run of 26 games unbeaten. During this time, they boast seven consecutive clean sheets with the defence coming to the fore.
Remarkably, they are unbeaten in over 18 months with September 10, 2018, the last time gli Azzurri tasted defeat. This was a 1-0 reverse against Portugal. Since suffering the ignominy of failing to reach the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the Italians have dusted themselves off and hit the reset button.
Since the arrival of the former Manchester City manager, the Italians are a team in which Mancini has gradually moulded into a winning machine with a clear identity and philosophy as well as forging that strong mentality. Yet, for all these positive hallmarks, they remain very much under the radar – how the Italians will favour that.
Mancini A Master Tactician
The vastly experienced manager of Italy has swept a fresh air of assuredness and confidence in his Italian troops. Mancini has struck on a fluid and adaptable 4-3-3 formation. And judging by the impressive results during his tenure, it is getting the best out of his squad, whomever the personnel.
He has the wonderful ‘managerial selection headache’ of coaching a group of hungry players who are all on song and singing to the same hymn sheet. A group of players who can produce a strong performance and even make a positive contribution from the bench.
Italy Guided by Experience
Delving deeper into Mancini’s pool of talent, the Italian has a wealth of experience in his ranks to call upon. Their notorious backline is once again looking strong with the Juventus stalwarts of Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini. In a tournament with such a short format, solidity is key.
Meanwhile, Italy possess a healthy mix of blending steel with silk. Their defensive pairing is a formidable rock. However, the Italians can also count on the likes of in-form AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, midfield creativity from Marco Verratti and pack a punch up front with the classy duo of Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Chiesa.
That silk is interwoven with a return to the steel with the battering ram that is Ciro Immobile, who has two goals in these last three international appearances. Italy is a nation of winners who are full of pride, passion and spirit. They are not four-time World Cup winners for nothing.
Italy Euro 2020 Hopes
Therefore, the Italian national side have to be in the conversation when discussing potential winners of the tournament. They have the know-how and experience to navigate their way through a championship format and have experience winning on penalties too. A case in point being their 2006 World Cup victory win on spot-kicks. They are a team for the big occasion who have been there, rode it, done it and got the champions t-shirt many times before.
Standing in their way is an accessible group featuring Turkey, Wales and Switzerland. The Italians will fancy their chances in the form they are in. And rightly so being Europe’s best team who are enjoying an incredible purple patch, draped in Azzuri blue.
Five years ago, they reached the quarter-final stage when they were agonisingly beaten by Germany on penalties. Previous to that, the Italians were runners-up when the swashbuckling Spaniards humbled Italy 4-0 in the finale. This time, they can go one better and the Italian dark horse would see the ultimate light.
Italy will believe in their title credentials and possess the tools necessary to lift the trophy come the final on July 12 at Wembley Stadium. They kick off the campaign on June 11 against Turkey in the opening match of the tournament at the Stadio Olimpico. A case of home sweet home.
Overall, there is much evidence to suggest that Italy will start and, more importantly, end the summer spectacular and, in doing so, complete a modern-day Italian job.
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