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Italy wants to reconnect with its glorious past

2021-03-27T14:52:46.850Z


Currently tenth in the FIFA rankings, Squadra Azzura has been accumulating good results for more than two years. To the point of reviving great ambitions for Roberto Mancini's squad, at the dawn of Euro 2021 and then the 2022 World Cup.


Squadra Azzura has not lost a match in official competition since September 10, 2018, a 1-0 defeat to defending European champion Portugal in the League of Nations.

Since then, the teammates of Ciro Immobile have remained on an impressive series of 23 games without defeats.

Admittedly, his two and a half years of invincibility seem paradoxical in view of the opponents faced by the Italians.

Portugal (5th in the FIFA rankings), the Netherlands (14th) and Poland (19th) are the toughest competitors of this period.

Italy nevertheless appears as a solid team in all areas of the game, which is returning to the international scene with ambitions to match its glorious past. 

The Italian selection, holder of four World Cups in its history and led by Roberto Mancini presents a group combining youth and experience.

For example, the central hinge is made up of the experienced duo of Juventus Chiellini / Bonucci, (the latter celebrated his 100th selection) while the goalkeeper Donnarumma (AC Milan) and midfielders Locatelli (Sasuollo) and Pellegrini (AS Roma ) symbolize this renewal in the workforce.

This new generation of players launched into the deep end characterizes the new plan of Roberto Mancini and his staff since the dismal failure of the non-qualification for the 2018 World Cup. 

A group that is both experienced and young

This perfect harmony between these different generations is summed up by Lazio defender Francesco Azerbi: “I think that in this team there is a mix of young people and quality players.

The coach and his staff have been great in creating a strong squad and that's what makes the difference in the end. ”

Note also that the last selection of Roberto Mancini presents only five players playing outside the Italian borders.

These are the three players of PSG: Florenzi, Verratti and Kean.

The last two being Emerson, Chelsea defender and Grifo, the Freiburg striker. 

Ciro # Immobile's goal through the Vivo Azzurro Cam ⚽#Azzurri#ITANIR#VivoAzzurro@ciroimmobilepic.twitter.com/oO5ciP3iFZ

- Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@azzurri) March 27, 2021

In order to confirm these expectations, Euro 2021 (June 11-July 11) is emerging as a first real test for the Italian group, with a view to facing opponents of greater caliber.

Italy will have to overcome Group A of Switzerland, Turkey and Wales before seeing an ambitious journey to the finals.

By then, she ideally started her journey to Doha by winning 2-0 against Northern Ireland, in the first qualifying match for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. 

A successful first outing in 2021 

At the end of this first outing in 2021, Roberto Mancini gave some indications on the profile of his selection at a post-match press conference: “We have already faced great teams in the Leagues of nations like the Netherlands. or Poland, with good results.

We will see later when we meet other great nations at the Euro, but I think our qualities stand out more when we face an opponent who is ready to do anything to win. " 

#WCQ



Off to Sofia ✈️



#Chiellini, #Berardi and #Caputo out.



https://t.co/JycdjfPsB1#Azzurri#VivoAzzurropic.twitter.com/wxNjfyuYYV

- Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@azzurri) March 27, 2021

To validate their ticket for the 2022 World Cup, the Nazionale will face Switzerland, Lithuania, Bulgaria and Northern Ireland.

After beating the latter, Squadra Azzura moves to Bulgaria this Sunday (8:45 p.m.) then to Lithuania on March 31 (8:45 p.m.).

Opponents within easy reach of Italy, which does not lack ambitions as the next international competitions approach. 

Read also

  • Croatia in search of renewal

Source: lefigaro

All sports articles on 2021-03-27

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