Introduction: An Unexpected Victory
The UEFA European Championship,branded as Euro 2020, was a tournament like no other. Delayed by a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it unfolded across a continent in the summer of 2021, a unique celebration of 60 years of the competition. Stadiums were at reduced capacity, and travel restrictions meant a scarcity of away fans, creating an unusual atmosphere. Amidst this backdrop, Italy emerged as the unlikely Euro 2020 Winner, a stark contrast to their পরপর failures to qualify for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. This victory, their first European Championship title since 1968, was a testament to resilience, tactical innovation, and a renewed sense of national pride. It was a triumph that defied expectations and cemented Italy’s place in European football history as the Euro 2020 winner.
Roberto Mancini’s Masterclass: The Architect of Success
The appointment of Roberto Mancini as Italy’s national team coach in 2018 was a pivotal moment. A former elegant forward himself, Mancini brought a wealth of experience and a winning pedigree. His managerial career boasted Coppa Italia success early on with Fiorentina and league titles with both Inter Milan and Manchester City. While stints in Turkey and Russia were less impactful, Mancini’s track record suggested he was the right man to revitalize the Azzurri. Despite a prior reputation for pragmatic, defensive football, Mancini fostered a more expansive and attacking style with Italy. His tactical acumen, combined with the appointment of his former Sampdoria teammate Gianluca Vialli as delegation chief, proved instrumental. Vialli’s presence brought invaluable camaraderie and emotional depth to the squad, culminating in poignant celebrations at Wembley, sadly just months before his passing. Mancini’s long-standing affection for English football, including a brief loan spell at Leicester City and FA Cup victory at Wembley with Manchester City in 2011, added a layer of destiny to winning the Euro 2020 final at the same iconic venue. Mancini’s leadership was undeniably a key ingredient in Italy becoming the Euro 2020 winner.
Tactical Brilliance: Italy’s Innovative Formation
Italy’s tactical approach at Euro 2020 was a fascinating blend of traditional Italian solidity and modern attacking fluidity. Starting with a 4-3-3 formation, Mancini implemented a dynamic system that morphed into a front five in possession, a tactic only mirrored by Spain in the tournament. A key element was the adventurous play of left-back Leonardo Spinazzola. He surged forward to become a de facto left-winger, allowing Lorenzo Insigne to drift inside and operate in more central attacking areas. On the opposite flank, Nicolo Barella played a box-to-box role, driving into channels while the wide forward, either Domenico Berardi or Federico Chiesa, provided width. Right-back Giovanni Di Lorenzo would then tuck inside, creating a three-man defensive structure when attacking. This tactical flexibility and player understanding were crucial in Italy’s journey to becoming the Euro 2020 winner.
This system maximized the strengths of the squad. Giorgio Chiellini, a natural left-footed centre-back, was comfortable in a three-man defense, and Leonardo Bonucci’s passing range, reminiscent of Andrea Pirlo, added another dimension to their play. In midfield, Jorginho and Marco Verratti dictated tempo and controlled possession. A prime example of this tactical system in full flow was the quarter-final victory against Belgium. Italy dismantled the then-top-ranked team in the first half, with goals from Barella, bursting into the box, and Insigne, curling a signature shot from the left. The only perceived weakness was the lack of a prolific centre-forward. Ciro Immobile, despite his Serie A goalscoring record, struggled to translate that form to the knockout stages. In the final against England, Mancini even substituted him early in the second half and opted to play without a traditional striker, highlighting a tactical adaptability that ultimately contributed to Italy being crowned Euro 2020 winner.
Key Players: Spinazzola, Donnarumma, and the Supporting Cast
While Italy’s triumph was built on collective strength, individual brilliance shone through at crucial moments. For the first five games, Leonardo Spinazzola was arguably Italy’s most influential player. The Roma full-back’s relentless energy and attacking forays from left-back were integral to Italy’s system and attacking creativity. His performances against Turkey and Switzerland were particularly outstanding. However, an Achilles tendon injury suffered against Belgium tragically cut short his tournament. His absence forced Italy to adapt, with Emerson Palmieri stepping in. Subsequently, the mantle of key player shifted to Gianluigi Donnarumma. The young goalkeeper proved to be a penalty shootout hero, making decisive saves in both the semi-final against Spain and the final against England. Despite some critiques regarding his command of crosses and footwork, Donnarumma’s shot-stopping ability was undeniable, earning him the Player of the Tournament award and solidifying his role in Italy becoming the Euro 2020 winner.
Beyond Spinazzola and Donnarumma, several other players delivered exceptional performances throughout Euro 2020. The veteran defensive pairing of Bonucci and Chiellini provided experience and leadership. Jorginho and Verratti controlled midfield battles with composure and skill. Federico Chiesa, often used as an impact substitute, provided crucial goals and dynamism. These collective contributions, alongside the brilliance of Spinazzola and Donnarumma, were vital to Italy’s success as the Euro 2020 winner.
A Tournament of Firsts: 26-Man Squads and Mancini’s Generosity
Euro 2020 marked a first in international tournament history: managers were allowed to name 26-player squads instead of the usual 23. This decision, initially driven by concerns surrounding Covid-19 and potential player isolations, aimed to provide greater squad depth and flexibility. Roberto Mancini utilized this expanded squad to its full potential. Remarkably, he gave playing time to 25 out of the 26 players, showcasing excellent squad management and fostering a strong sense of team unity. This was facilitated by Italy’s dominant group stage performance, winning their first two matches comfortably, which allowed Mancini to rotate the squad for the final group game against Wales. Even third-choice goalkeeper Salvatori Sirigu made a late appearance against Wales, leaving Alex Meret as the only squad member who did not feature on the pitch. This inclusive approach, maximizing the expanded squad rule, contributed to the overall team spirit and Italy’s journey to becoming the Euro 2020 winner.
The Wembley Showdown: Euro 2020 Final Against England
The Euro 2020 final at Wembley Stadium pitted Italy against England in a highly anticipated clash. England manager Gareth Southgate, known for his tactical flexibility, opted for a cautious five-man defense, seemingly aimed at nullifying Italy’s attacking front five. This tactical approach paid immediate dividends as England took the lead within two minutes. A deep cross from Kieran Trippier found Luke Shaw, who volleyed home spectacularly. Italy appeared rattled by this early setback and struggled to impose their game in the initial stages. However, England, perhaps too eager to protect their lead, retreated defensively, failing to capitalize on their early momentum.
The final became a game of contrasting styles. Italy dominated possession but struggled to break down England’s packed defense. England, in turn, resorted to clearing the ball rather than attempting to retain possession and relieve pressure or launch counter-attacks against Italy’s experienced defense. A key moment of controversy arose when Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini blatantly pulled back Bukayo Saka by his shirt as the young winger broke through on the right flank. Despite protests, only a yellow card was issued. Italy’s equalizer came from a scrappy goalmouth scramble following a corner, with Leonardo Bonucci bundling the ball over the line. While Italy had the better of the game after the equalizer, they never truly dominated. The Euro 2020 final was ultimately a tense and cautious affair, unfortunately marred by pre-match crowd trouble that cast a shadow over the atmosphere inside Wembley, even as Italy went on to become the Euro 2020 winner.
Decisive Penalties: Donnarumma’s Heroics Seal Victory
Heading into the Euro 2020 final penalty shootout, Italy carried a poor record in spot-kicks in major tournaments. However, they faced an England side with an even more infamous history of penalty failures. The shootout was a dramatic rollercoaster. Italy only converted three of their five penalties, and when Jorginho, who had scored the decisive penalty in the semi-final, saw his effort saved by Jordan Pickford, it seemed Italy’s chance had slipped away. But England faltered even more dramatically. Marcus Rashford struck the post, Jadon Sancho’s tame shot was saved, and then Bukayo Saka, under immense pressure, placed a weak penalty at a comfortable height for Donnarumma. The Italian goalkeeper saved decisively, becoming the hero of the shootout and securing Italy’s victory as the Euro 2020 winner.
Were Italy the Best? A Deserved Yet Unconventional Victory
Italy entered Euro 2020 on a remarkable 27-match unbeaten run, which they extended to 37 later in 2021. They possessed a well-defined tactical system, a world-class goalkeeper, a solid defense, and a technically gifted midfield. Their tournament began with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Turkey in Rome, signaling their intent from the outset. However, their knockout stage journey was far from straightforward. They needed extra time to overcome Austria in the round of 16 and penalties to defeat both Spain in the semi-final and England in the final. In fact, a whole section of the knockout bracket was decided by penalties, highlighting the element of chance involved. While penalty shootouts are an integral part of modern football, Italy’s single 90-minute win in four knockout matches raises questions about whether they were definitively the best team, similar to Portugal’s somewhat fortunate Euro 2016 triumph. Despite this, unlike past Italian sides known for defensive pragmatism, Mancini’s Italy were an attractive, technically proficient team. Winning a European Championship between two World Cup qualification failures is an unusual anomaly, echoing the surprise victories of Denmark in 1992 and Greece in 2004. The European Championship, more so than the World Cup, has a history of producing unexpected champions. Italy’s Euro 2020 victory, while perhaps not statistically dominant, was a deserved and captivating triumph, making them worthy Euro 2020 winner.
Conclusion: Italy’s Euro 2020 Legacy
Italy’s Euro 2020 victory was an unexpected and hard-fought journey to become champions of Europe. Under Roberto Mancini’s guidance, the Azzurri blended tactical innovation with individual talent and unwavering team spirit. From Spinazzola’s early dynamism to Donnarumma’s penalty heroics, and the collective strength of the entire squad, Italy overcame challenges and defied expectations to lift the trophy. Their triumph serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of football and the enduring allure of the European Championship, leaving fans to wonder if Euro 2024 will produce another surprise Euro winner. Italy’s legacy as the Euro 2020 winner is one of resilience, tactical evolution, and a nation rediscovering its footballing passion on the European stage.
