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Italy have started Euro 2020 like a house on fire, scoring seven goals in three group games without conceding in the process. While teams like France and Belgium arguably boast more talent on paper, the astute management skills of Roberto Mancini and the togetherness of his squad could be enough to take the side all the way this summer.
Here, we assess how impressive the Italian national side’s defence has been, and how it could lead to European glory in the coming weeks. The Bookies are heavily favoring Italy to win the competition with their latest football bets.
It all starts from the back with Italy. The likes of Ciro Immobile, Lorenzo Insigne and Manuel Locatelli have all greatly impressed in an attacking capacity, but it has been their superb defensive organisation that has provided a rock-solid foundation for the side to build upon.
Heading into the knockout stages, Italy’s biggest task is to venture away from the home comforts of the Stadio Olimpico, and somehow replicate the impressive intensity that they demonstrated in all three Group A games. With that being said, it is worth pausing briefly to simply appreciate the fine work of Roberto Mancini so far in his time as Italy’s manager. His side has now gone 1000 minutes without conceding in a competitive match, with the Azzurri having scored 32 goals during that time.
This form continued in the group stages of Euro 2020, as the hosts put three past Turkey and Switzerland without ever looking troubled in their own half. An Italian record could be broken if they keep this up in the knockout stage, as legendary goalkeeper Dino Zoff currently holds the record for the longest time without conceding as Italy’s goalkeeper – at 1143 minutes. Their current stopper, 22-year-old Gianluigi Donnarumma, stands on the precipice of a historic achievement.
Unsurprisingly, Fantasy Football players with a big Italian contingent in their squads are doing very well this summer. From front to back, barely a single member of Mancini’s squad has put a foot wrong – although that will undoubtedly change once the opposition level ramps up in quality.
The Italian player with the most points on the official UEFA Euro 2020 Fantasy Football website is Donnarumma, which is to be expected given that he, Robin Olsen and Jordan Pickford are the only goalkeepers in the competition who are yet to concede. Second is midfielder Manuel Locatelli, who scored a fine brace against the Swiss, followed by Ciro Immobile who also has two goals to his name.
The best performing defender is currently Leonardo Bonucci, with the Juventus man having played a part in all three group matches. Wing-back Leonardo Spinazzola is also in the top five of Italian performers, which just goes to highlight how impressive the back four has been thus far.
However, if you are looking to stock up on Italian defenders in your Euro 2020 team, it’s key to note the fitness concerns over one Giorgio Chiellini. The veteran centre-back is a doubt for Italy’s Round of 16 match next week against Austria. His absence would offer up an opportunity to Lazio’s Francesco Acerbi, who looked solid enough during his outing against Wales.
Should the captain not recover from his hamstring tear in time for the knockout matches, questions do have to be asked as to whether Italy can maintain their impressive defensive form. Acerbi is an excellent stand-in, but it’s going to be virtually impossible for the 33-year-old to replicate the leadership skills of Chiellini. With Bonucci being a long-term partner of his at Juventus, and with a very young goalkeeper behind the pair, you can’t help but think that Chiellini’s loss could destabilise the unit somewhat.
Italy will head into the knockout rounds full of confidence, knowing that none of their recent opponents have been able to score past them – let alone win. If Mancini’s men can carry their wonderful interplay and tirelessly press into the second half of the tournament, they surely must be viewed as serious contenders.
However, playing away from the Olimpico, and with a handful of slight injury concerns, the jury is still out on whether they will go all the way. The back five will play a huge role in deciding Italy’s fate, as if Donnarumma does go two more games without conceding, breaking Zoff’s 47-year record in the process, Italy will surely have their best chance since 2006 to win a major international trophy.
