At the heart of the Italian game, no Iniesta, Xavi or Busquets.
But an equally perfect balance for an almost flamboyant game.
In a system built and defined by Mancini, Jorginho, Verratti, Barella and Locatelli share the three positions of 4-3-3, without the rotation having any impact on the game. This complementary environment with a rigorous organization could overcome another well-known midfielder: that of Spain (Tuesday 9 p.m.).
To discover
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A balanced environment guided by Jorginho
Jorginho is one of only two players with Leonardo Bonucci to have played all six matches of Italy at the Euro, including that against Wales in the last group match where Mancini had turned (1-0 ).
The centerpiece of an environment in full control, he also became the leader of Italy, of which he only took nationality in 2012. It is not necessarily the one we see the most, but it is is the one who dictates the tempo.
“
With Jorginho, everything seems simple.
It is essential to this team, untouchable
”, assures Marco Verratti after the victory against Belgium (2-1).
Beyond his very numerous recoveries, Euro record (14) that he shares with N'golo Kanté his teammate at Chelsea, he directs the Italian game and brings the team up to the pressing.
Using his head above all, with an infallible reading of the game.
His steadfast status with the Azzurri is also due to his leadership, he affectionately nicknamed "
Radio Jorginho
" for his many instructions given to his young teammates.
In Italy the votes are rising to make him the Golden Ball this season, having already won the Champions League with Chelsea.
A hypothesis which remains unlikely.
The return of Marco Verratti in an oiled environment
One of the strengths of this dominant Italian midfielder remains his versatility.
Mancini had accustomed us to a Locatelli - Jorginho - Barella trio in the first matches, before putting Verratti back in his XI on his return from injury with Pessina on the right against Wales.
All without the face of the Italian game changing one iota.
Pessina on the right is projected as much as Barella at rest, Verratti on the left plays this role of creator until then carried by Locatelli.
A luxury that could even have become a problem, as each combination had its interests and therefore its amateurs.
Verratti's return from injury condemns Manuel Locatelli, double scorer against Switzerland (3-0) and resplendent with the ball in his foot, to a return to the bench.
A logical decision vis-à-vis the status of
Little Owl
with the Squadra but which puts Mancini in front of a delicate choice as the player of Sassuolo became the new darling of the Italian selection. Back in the XI, Verratti perpetuates Italian domination in the midfield, alongside Barella and Jorginho, taking on the role of creator left to him by Locatelli. In just three matches during this Euro, he created no less than 12 chances and recovered a lot of very high balls by going to the pressing. Faced with Belgium in the quarter-finals, his big activity notably allowed the opening of the scoring of another key Italian midfielder: the sharp Nicolo Barella.
