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2020 EURO CHAMPIONS
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2020EURO CHAMPIONS
FROM WORLD CUP FAILURE TO EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS, ITALY CAME ROARING BACK FROM THEIR LOWEST POINT TO WIN THIS SUMMER’S EURO 2020. HOW DID THEY DO IT? MICHELLE OSEI BONSU TAKES A LOOK
eading into Euro 2020, many pundits
Hhad earmarked Belgium and France as the heavy favourites to feature in the showpiece final at Wembley on July 11. Portugal were also thrown into the mix, predominantly because of Cristiano Ronaldo’s presence, whilst some were willing to take a punt on England after the Three Lions’ impressive run at the 2018 World Cup. Plus, Gareth Southgate’s side had the benefit of playing nearly all of their matches in London. Even Spain were considered contenders, despite La Roja being a far cry from the team who dominated the international scene from 2008 to 2012. Not many were sold on Italy, however. Although some believed the Azzurri had what it took to go all the way, most were dismissive of Roberto Mancini’s side. That’s despite Italy, like Belgium, coming into the competition having won all 10 of their qualifying matches. Yet unlike the Red Devils, the Azzurri had actually won major international titles before, including the European Championship in 1968. Indeed, it seemed like Italy’s failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup was a sticking point for most people. For the four-time world champions, losing in the play-offs to Sweden in 2017 was their nadir, as many Azzurri fans weren’t even born the last time they missed out on the World Cup back in 1958. Then there were those who expressed concern about the team’s strikers, singling out players like Ciro Immobile and Lorenzo Insigne, who consistently delivered for their respective clubs Lazio and Napoli, but hadn’t exactly set the world alight for their country. Still, these doubts didn’t seem to bother Italy or coach Mancini much. The former forward was appointed commissario tecnico on May 14, 2018. Four months after taking over, the Azzurri’s FIFA ranking dropped to 21. That was the lowest ever position for a country traditionally considered among the world’s elite. Yet, it now appears that
this was exactly the impetus Italy needed to shake themselves out of their funk and get back on track. On September 10, 2018, Andre Silva’s goal was enough to decide a Nations League match in favour of Portugal. That’s the last time Italy lost. When they took to the pitch for the Euro 2020 final against England on July 11, Italy had already made history. They were 33 games unbeaten, and in going one further have ensured this team will be talked about for generations to come. The ascent from their lowest point in 2017 to the pinnacle of European football has naturally been a measured process, with Italy benefiting from the lack of expectation, and subsequently pressure, put on their shoulders. Quietly in the background, as most were focused on whether France would add a European title to their World Cup triumph, or if Belgium - who are ranked number one in the world but have nothing really to show for it in terms of silverware - would finally end their hoodoo, Italy were slowly rebuilding. After a rather uninspiring performance at the inaugural Nations League tournament, they turned their attention towards qualifying for Euro 2020. Thirteen months after their narrow loss to Portugal, Mancini’s men secured their spot with three games to spare following a 2-0 win over Greece. In winning all 10 of their games, they became only the sixth side in history to achieve this, after France, the Czech Republic, Spain, Germany and England. Although Euro 2020 ended up being pushed back to 2021 due to Covid-19, it certainly didn’t interrupt Italy’s stride. In fact, it probably helped. The Azzurri finished top in their Nations League group in the interim and will take part in the finals later on this year, while they wasted no time in announcing their intentions at the Euros. Italy faced Turkey at the Stadio Olimpico in the tournament’s curtain-raiser and after a tense first half, it didn’t take long for them to overwhelm their visitors. The opener was an own goal by Merih Derimal, but it was the efforts from Immobile and Insigne that truly exemplified this new-look Italy side. Their performances went a long way towards boosting both players’ confidence, as the duo responded to the criticism of their international displays. Meanwhile, Sassuolo’s Manuel Locatelli became a household name thanks to his stunning brace during Italy’s resounding 3-0 victory over Switzerland. The young midfielder was already well known to Serie A fans, but his man of the match performance thrust him into the limelight and sparked interest from clubs across Europe. Interestingly, Atalanta’s Matteo Pessina ended up being the decisive factor in the Azzurri’s final group game against Wales. He wasn’t initially on the first-choice list and was only added following Stefano Sensi’s injury on June 7. By the time they took on Austria in the round of 16, Italy had already written their name into European Championship history by becoming just the fifth side to go through the group stage without conceding a goal. England would match that feat two days later, but the Three Lions only scored twice themselves compared to the Azzurri’s haul of seven. Finally, people were starting to take notice of an Azzurri team who still maintained their staunchly defensive origins, but were also fearsome in attack. In scenes reminiscent of the 2006 World Cup when two late goals were enough to sink Germany in extra time of their semi-final clash, Italy showed great mettle to dig deep and finally break down a very stubborn and resilient Austria side. Mancini also showed significant tactical nous with two key changes in the second half, bringing on Pessina and Federico Chiesa. Fresh from a solid debut season with Juventus, Chiesa finally broke the deadlock in extra time, followed by Pessina 10 minutes later. Although Austria would end Italy’s 19-hour world record for not conceding a goal soon after, the Azzurri hung on to set up a mouth-watering clash against Belgium. It was their impressive defeat of the Belgians in the quarter-finals that solidified Italy’s position as contenders for the Euro title. Despite Romelu Lukaku clawing one back, earlier strikes from Nicolo Barella and Insigne were enough to book a tantalizing rematch against Spain in the semis.
The whole squad played a part in making history
AZZURRI DOMINANCE FROM START TO FINISH
AFTER ITALY ENDED A 53-YEAR WAIT TO TASTE EUROPEAN GLORY, MICHELLE OSEI BONSU RECALLS HOW THE AZZURRI DOMINATED EURO 2020 FROM START TO FINISH
The European Championship began with a bang thanks to the tournament opener featuring Italy and Turkey. After a scoreless first half, the Crescent Stars began to crumble. This was shown by Merih Derimal’s own goal in the 53rd minute, followed by Ciro Immobile and Lorenzo Insigne both opening their accounts as the Azzurri quickly took control. The stage was set for what was to come. During their second match against Switzerland, Italy were at their very best again. Despite the Rossocrociati attempting to block channels and frustrate their hosts with a very conservative, defensive approach, Manuel Locatelli’s brace and Immobile’s goal were enough to give the Azzurri all three points. The win came at a cost though, as captain Giorgio Chiellini hobbled off injured. Already into the round of 16 with a game to spare, Roberto Mancini wisely rotated his squad in the last group game against Wales. Impressively, a team made up of largely second-string players managed to shackle Gareth Bale and co, as Gianluigi Donnarumma became the youngest goalkeeper to keep three consecutive clean sheets at the European Championship. Austria proved to be a much tougher foe than the Azzurri had expected in the last 16, but two key switches in the second half proved a masterstroke. Prior to this, Federico Chiesa hadn’t had much of an impact, but he took little time in finally making his mark. His goal in extra time gave Italy the breakthrough they needed and was followed by Matteo Pessina’s second. Despite some nervy moments late on, Italy were into the quarter-finals. In the face of such a tough task against the world’s top-ranked team, Italy looked confident and assured throughout. Belgium’s previous win over Portugal was hardly convincing, and with injuries to Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne, the Azzurri showed no signs of intimidation. A strong first-half performance and a measured approach to the second period set up an intriguing semi-final clash with rivals Spain. La Roja had shown flashes of brilliance, notably putting five past both Slovakia and Croatia, but Italy were more than up to the task. They didn’t let Alvaro Morata’s answer to Chiesa’s 60th-minute goal ruffle their feathers, and both Donnarumma and Jorginho played their parts in getting Mancini’s men to their first Euro final since losing 4-0 to Spain in 2012. In the final, the Azzurri showed great fortitude and composure to eventually take down an England side who’d grown throughout the tournament. Like Italy, the Three Lions had been solid at the back, and were under immense pressure to end their 55-year wait for a major title. The Azzurri emerged victorious after a tense penalty shootout, as the European Championship went to Rome.
Cristiano Ronaldo won the Golden Boot after scoring five goals in four games for Portugal
Romelu Lukaku was unable to prevent Belgium going down 2-1 to Italy
Switzerland had done everyone else a huge favour by beating France on penalties in the round of 16, before they themselves were knocked out in a shootout against Spain. This meant Italy would avoid having to play both tournament favourites en route to the final. The Azzurri’s victory over Spain on penalties was cathartic for Italian fans, many of whom remembered the painful 4-0 humiliation the team suffered at the hands of La Roja in the Euro 2012 final. Players like Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini were part of the team on that dark day, and after meeting Spain in a fourth consecutive European Championship, Italy exacted the revenge they’d been seeking. They also set yet another record, this time for the most games unbeaten at the Euros, encompassing both qualifying and the tournament proper. Finally, on a 16-match unbeaten streak, Italy arrived at the Wembley showpiece on July 11 full of confidence. Against a very hostile and largely English crowd, a goal from an unlikely source in Bonucci balanced the scores following Luke Shaw’s early effort. Showing no signs of fatigue after their grueling encounter with Spain just days before, Italy managed to strangle England’s attack, nullifying the likes of Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling to set up another tense shootout. It was goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma who proved to be the hero on the night. The 22-year-old put in a monstrous performance to save efforts from Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka. Italy would have their first European triumph in 53 years, while completely banishing the demons of their humiliating World Cup failure just four years ago.
