EURO 2020 | Italy is the Champion!

This is how this edition of the European Championship, which was scheduled to take place last year, closes, with Italy the champion, winner of the trophy after 53 years since 1968.

Winner even though after penalty shots, a title that must be said was deserved for what the “Azzura” team showed during this championship, especially in the group matches.

Deserved because the team led by coach Mancini came out of the conservative style of Italian football, presenting a new national model with a unique group, although without stars, who showed the strength of the unity of the team game in all its components.

13 – is the record number of goals ever scored by this national team in a world or European championship. The Italian team confirms that it was the strongest team of this European edition, both in the level of the game shown and in the character of the team.

Yes, of course the Italian representative had difficulties and a fall in the game where we can mention the second half against Austria, the first half and the first overtime against Spain (which proved to be the strongest opponent of the Azzurri) as well as the first 15-20 minutes against the English in the final. Besides Mancini, who is of course the architect of this “machine” team, the one who built it for three years with patience, faith and passion, there are three players who stood out from this fair and wise selection of the Italian coach: Goalkeeper Dunarumma, defender the left, the Romanist Spinazzola (who was unfortunately injured, but until then was considered the best and fastest defender of this tournament) and Fedderico Chiesa, bought by Juventus last season, the son of the well-known Enrico Chiesa.

Mancini has the special merit in winning this long-awaited European trophy, after the Italians are used to winning trophies such as the four world cups, even though he had to wait a long time for the European title, that day he did the work of the selector with precision choosing players even from “small” teams (Berardi, Raspadori, Toloi, etc.) based on Serie “A” and never the spoils of Juventus or those recommended by Anjeli. And of course Mancini is that honest and fair person who doesn’t know how to take anyone’s side, so his selection to the Sassuolo and Atalanta team appreciates the work of the Italian coach by winning this title. For this, Mancini and his team will be remembered for a long time and not only by Italians. The tears of joy on the shoulders in the hug with his friend Vialli will be remembered for a long time.

Mancini – Vialli, the former attack of the champion Sampdoria, the “twins of the goal” joined the management staff of this representative, now the champion of Europe. The presence of such a figure as Gianluca Vialli, who won the battle with the disease by being an example of strength and reaction for these national boys, has also been fundamental.

The English had a very good representation and their level in the rank of representatives has increased even though in their ranks there are not big names like they used to be in years since B. Carlton to Robson, Lineker and Casgoine, to the last this English team has shown that it is more rational and the results have given Southgate’s boys their rights. Above all, Kane, defender Maguire, midfielders Phillips and Rice and why not goalkeeper Pickford stand out…

The English motto: “Football is comin home”!

The Italians, however, made a very small modification:
“Football is coming Rome”… and that’s what happened.

In fact, the signals that Italian football was rising in level were given by the last season of Series “A”, which was much higher in quality and competition with others at least since 2010. Maybe it’s a coincidence, but how many times has Italy’s football been knocked down by big problems in this field, immediately after that came the quick reaction with a big title (remember the bets in 1982, Calciopoli and Juventus in 2006 and now 2021 after the elimination in world champion from Sweden, and the miserable state of the championship)

Many positive and negative things will be remembered in this great final, the not at all civilized behavior of the English towards the Italian community, the unequal distribution of tickets for the final fans, the quick goal in the second minute by Shaw (a model action with a “cool” finish), and the coldness of the English in controlling the game until minutes 15-20… the Italians will be remembered after the first minutes of the orientation to withstand the pressure even though they were against 90% of the English fans who insulted , calling Italians curmudgeons and waitresses. But the Italians don’t want to know. Kieza with a “crooked” shot sends the first signal that the “Azure” are not easily defeated, they take control of the game until the 1-1 draw in the second half and then until the last minutes of overtime.

“Gigio” Gianluigi Donnarumma, the best goalkeeper of the tournament, the main factor in winning the European title for Italy!

The best goalkeeper of this tournament, “Gigo” Donnarumma, will be remembered for his saves in the disposal of penalties, the enthusiasm of the fans present at “Wembley” and the madness of hundreds of thousands of others in front of the big screen in Italian cities. Italy is the champion of Europe!!! Bonucci’s uncivilized reaction to the words that the English should eat more pasta to reach the level of his behavior. On the other hand, the greetings to the Italian anthem by the English fans and the removal of the medals from the necks of their players are equally uncivilized!!! In a sense, animals are similar in all countries of the world.

Chiellini!!!

Personally, I did not understand how a defender like Chiellini, who is characterized more by strength than intelligence, is glorified by the Italian press and given credit as the most positive note of winning the title. Based on my opinion, the referee should have punished Chiellini’s action in a moment of the game when he caught by the shirt completely open even near the cameras near the sideline of the young Saka who had left him frozen in place…… any such action that is done intentionally, regardless of the position on the field, should be punished with red!!!

It was an unforgettable night for the Italians at “Wembley” in London. July 11 is now a significant date for Italian football because it also coincides with July 11, 1982, when Bearzot’s team defeated the Germans 3-1 in the final to win the World Cup and the third title until then. In total, Italy has 4 World Cups and 2 European Cups, a long history of success that began in 1934:

These are the four most successful Italian coaches before Roberto Mancini: Vittorio Pozzo (1934;1938) Ferruccio Valcareggi (1968); Enzo Bearzot (1982 ) and Marcelo Lippi (2006) .

FINAL TABLE

ITALY: 4-3-3 Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Emerson (13′ pj.d.sh. Florenzi); Barella (10′ pj.d. Cristante), Jorginho, Verratti (6′ pj.d. Locatelli); Chiesa (41′ p.d. Bernardeschi), Immobile (10′ p.d. Berardi), Insigne (1′ p.g. Belotti) Coach : Mancini None excluded. Yellow cards : Barella, Bonucci, Insigne, Chiellini, Jorginho

ENGLAND: 3-4-2-1 Pickford; Walker (15′ pjdsh. Sancho), Stones, Maguire; Trippier (26′ pj.d. Saka), Phillips, Rice, (29′ pj.d. Henderson; 15′ pj.d. Rashford), Shaw; Sterling, Mount (9′ eg Grealish); Kane Coach: Southgate None excluded. Yellow cards: Maguire Referee : Kuipers (Ola)

Shot on goal 6-1 . Shots outside 9-4. Corner 3-5. Offside positions 5-1. Addition: 4′ F.H / 6′ S.H / 1′ F.H.EXT. / 3′ S.H.EXT.

Penalty: 1-2 Berardi (It) goal; 2-2 Kane (A) goal; 2-2 Belotti (It) save; 3-2 Maguire (A) goal; 3-3 Bonucci (It) goal; 3-3 Rashford (A) post ; 3-4 Bernardeschi (It) goal; 3-4 Sancho (A) reception; 3-4 Jorginho (It) save; 3-4 Saka (A) reception

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Vizion Sportiv + / The Hour of Champions: Tuesday, July 13, 2021