BESTBEST OF THE
2020 EURO CHAMPIONS
WITH EURO 2020 FEATURING SOME OF THE WORLD’S FINEST PLAYERS, FEARGAL BRENNAN TAKES A LOOK AT SOME OF THE STANDOUT PLAYERS AT THE TOURNAMENT
Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was named Player of the Tournament, as Italy beat England on penalties in the final of Euro 2020
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espite initial concerns over player fatigue and a lack of fan enthusiasm in some quarters, the delayed Euro 2020 proved to be one of the most exciting international tournaments in years. The impressive showing from underdog sides including Ukraine, the Czech Republic and Denmark ensured plenty of drama right the way through the knockout stages, as Roberto Mancini’s Italy took football to Rome instead of Gareth Southgate’s England bringing it home in their highstakes penalty shootout in the final at Wembley. Last-16 exits for defending world champions France and reigning European kings Portugal opened up the competition in the final stages, with some of the season’s finest performers rising to the challenge on the international stage. Key figures for both Italy and England featured prominently throughout the competition, with the two nations forming the bulk of UEFA’s Euro 2020 Team of the Tournament, but there were a few dark horse names who lit up the competition and could be in line for a bigmoney transfer ahead of the 2021-22 season. Here we take a look at some of the best performers at Euro 2020 and assess what the next 12 months could hold for them at club level.
GIANLUIGI DONNARUMMA Italy stopper Donnarumma played a vital role in the Azzurri’s success in clinching their first major European title since 1968, as he became the first goalkeeper to scoop up the UEFA Player of the Tournament Award. The 22-year-old confirmed his planned intention to leave Milan ahead of the competition, with his San Siro contract expiring at the end of June after eight years
30 2020 EURO CHAMPIONS ITALY
1 DONNA @GIGIO NOI” A CON S A C A “
‘EURO 2020 PROVED TO BE ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENTS IN YEARS’
