Italy's campaign at Euro 2020

A month ago, Italian fans were celebrating under the same sky – a sky painted blue that stretched from Italy all the way to Wembley. The emotions experienced on the 11th of July 2021 are unlikely to be repeated, which is why it is so important to keep those memories alive – the memories of the Azzurri’s journey to the top of Europe. Today we mark one month since Italy won the European Championship and, although they also defeated our beloved national team, we felt it was right to dedicate a blog post to these players who made the difference for their country.

Following Mancini’s excellent work in the run-up to the European Championship, the opening match of this major tournament took place in Rome on the 11th of June 2020. Expectations were very high and the Azzurri did not disappoint. With a resounding 3-0 victory, thanks to goals from Immobile, Insigne and an own goal, they sent Turkey home and sent the excitement levels soaring. A perfect match both technically and tactically, as well as emotionally.

The second match was played in Rome once again. Mancini’s lads repeated their performance from the opening game, maintaining their focus throughout and building even more excitement. Another 3-0 win, with a goal from Immobile and a brace from Locatelli. A perfect start, just as the manager, the team and, of course, the Italian fans had hoped for.

The final group stage match was played against Bale and his teammates, and with qualification already secured, Mancini decided to give playing time to the less-used players, including Matteo Pessina, the golden boy who, with a run worthy of a centre-forward, slotted the ball into the net to put his side ahead. That would prove to be the only goal of the match, enough for Italy to finish top of the group with a record-breaking performance.

The first knockout tie of the tournament, a decisive match that could have undone everything achieved up to that point. On paper, Austria wasn’t the toughest opponent, but we all know how these matches go: every opponent is a battle, and that’s exactly how it turned out. A tough match that was only broken open thanks to a move by Chiesa who, with a close-range shot, paved the way to the quarter-finals. After Pessina made it 2-0, Austria pulled one back, but fortunately the referee blew the final whistle.

The toughest opponent they had faced so far. Italy were up against Lukaku, De Bruyne and Courtois. Belgium were the favourites, as well as being number one in the FIFA rankings, but we all know that football can throw up surprises and that the best team on paper doesn’t always win. A brilliant match, with both teams playing very attacking football and displaying a high level of skill. Thanks to Barella’s guile and Insigne’s curling goal, Italy managed to reach the semi-finals against all odds.

The most unpredictable opponent imaginable. Some thought it would be an easy match, others predicted it would be a real struggle, and that’s exactly how it turned out: Spain and their tiki-taka style really put us under pressure. Probably the best match of Euro 2020, with 120 minutes packed with moves, counter-attacks and goals. Penalties are a lottery, but luckily we managed to reach the long-awaited final at Wembley. Donnarumma and Jorginho carried an entire nation to the final.

They were playing away from home, on hostile territory, but that didn’t faze the Italian players – quite the opposite, in fact. The match didn’t get off to a good start, as England took the lead after just three minutes with a hard-fought goal. But from then on, Italy took control of the game. With composure and patience, Bonucci managed to equalise and take the match to a penalty shoot-out.

It was a madcap penalty shoot-out. Rashford and Sancho, who had come on solely to take their penalties, missed, leaving all the pressure on Jorginho, the Italian team’s specialist. This time, however, the English goalkeeper managed to save his spot-kick. It was down to Saka against Donnarumma: two young players who would decide the outcome. Gigio became the hero and saved the decisive penalty, lifting the Italian national team to the top.

A happy ending to an adventure that lasted well over a month, meticulously prepared by manager Mancini and his entire coaching staff. A journey that turned an extraordinary group into champions and brought a smile back to the faces of all Italians.