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After the disillusionment of the 2018 World Cup, Italy did everything to make this Euro a success

2021-06-18T13:25:29.753Z


Absent from the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Italy is reborn under the orders of Roberto Mancini. Easy winners of Turkey at the opening of the Euro (3-0), the Italians challenge the Swiss on Wednesday.


After hitting rock bottom, the Italian team is undergoing reconstruction. Absent from the 2018 World Cup, the Italians are gradually climbing the slope, also making them outsiders, even favorites, for this Euro 2020. Winners of Turkey in the opening match in Rome (3-0), last Friday , the Transalpines face Switzerland this Wednesday, to confirm its rebirth, and validate its ticket for the knockout stages. A good run during this European Championship would reflect the virtuous process started in the spring of 2018, the date of the appointment of Roberto Mancini at the head of Squadra Azzura.

Italy's last defeat in an official match dates from September 2018 and a loss suffered against Portugal (1-0). Since then, she remains on a series of 28 meetings without defeat. The former Manchester City coach has been able to instill a real philosophy of play, something quite rare in selection football, within a group that combines youth and experience. Of the 26 retained by the Italian technician, nine were defeated against Sweden in 2018, including five holders. Mancini has therefore chosen to keep a well-established group, with executives like Bonucci, Chiellini, or Ciro Immobile. In the midst of this experience, young wolves, promises for football. Manuel Locatelli (23 years old), Nicolo Barella (24 years old), or Federico Chiesa (23 years old), are already executives of this selection.

A more Italian Squadra Azzura

But one of the main changes also comes from the tactical side. The Italians have abandoned their beloved three-way defense to move to four defenders. A mini-revolution that could almost surprise since this three-way scheme is more and more in vogue for a season or two in the European championships. With a very high pressing imposed by Mancini, Italy wants to be an offensive nation, again denying its traditional "

catenaccio

", a little out of fashion. They scored 37 goals in the qualifiers for this Euro, tied with England and only beaten by the Belgian armada. This fiery attack is supported by a midfield with three of which the duo Jorginho-Verratti is the angular plate. A third man is added to this pair which has garnered a lot of automatisms.

While Italy may lack a bit of experience, or even talent in some key positions, they can rest on an almost infallible consistency. The Italians were able to show all this unity again last Friday by easily disposing of the Turks, 3-0, at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. They have a new opportunity to strike a blow by winning against the Swiss on Wednesday, still in the Roman city. We will have to rely on the Squadra Azzura this summer.

Source: lefigaro

All sports articles on 2021-06-18

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