Friday, July 2nd, 2021
Belgium’s big dream burst
Italy intoxicated in the EM semifinals
The Squadra Azzurra became the top favorites of the European Championship: Italy got a football heavyweight out of the way with Belgium and mastered its toughest test with flying colors. But there is also a difficult task waiting in the semifinals.
Breathless football, intense duels, open sights in Munich – and in the end Italy is in the semifinals: The Squadra Azzurra has also won the top-class favorite duel with Belgium and is on course for its first European title in 53 years. In what is probably the best game of this European Championship, the Italians won 2-1 (2-1) and will now face Spain on July 6th at London’s Wembley Stadium.
“We fully deserved this win. My players were extraordinary. We suffered in the last ten minutes because we were really tired. Maybe we could have scored more goals,” said coach Roberto Mancini of the Italian broadcaster RAI. “We still have a long way to go, we have two games left.”
Mancini’s team has been unbeaten in 32 international matches and must now be considered a top favorite for the title at the latest. Nicolo Barella (31st) and Lorenzo Insigne (44th) shot Italy into the first EM semifinals since 2012, Romelu Lukaku (45th + 2) caused tension with a penalty kick. But the “golden generation” of Belgians will continue to be untitled. The EM says goodbye to Munich, 12,985 spectators saw the last game in the Allianz Arena – it was a worthy walkout. So far, the underdogs in particular were responsible for the stories of this European Championship, but now two real title candidates finally met, and even on closer inspection, no favorite could be identified.
“This is a big game for both teams,” said Belgium’s Axel Witsel, “we have to do our thing because they will do their thing.” And that’s how it happened, right from the kick-off. Both teams looked for the offensive, Belgium came after less than a minute to the first dangerous conclusion by Lukaku. In general, the Red Devils were a bit more determined at the beginning, but it hit Italy. Leonardo Bonucci carried the ball into the goal after a free kick, the Tifosi celebrated, the stadium announcer announced the shooter, only coach Mancini sat motionless on his bench – he probably already suspected it: the video assistant discovered the offside position of preparer Giorgio Chiellini, who Hit didn’t count.
Captain Chiellini had returned to defense after his injury break and he remained busy. Kevin De Bruyne (22nd) and Lukaku (26th) broke through and finished, Gianluigi Donnarumma each held strong. Belgium had long had to worry about De Bruyne’s use due to an ankle injury, but the playmaker was in the starting line-up. Captain Eden Hazard (thigh), on the other hand, wasn’t even sitting on the bench. The Italians became more dominant with increasing playing time, with strong positional play they found gaps, with aggressive counter-pressing they made mistakes for the Belgians. So also before the opening goal: Barella ultimately used a bad pass from Jan Vertonghen.
Italy keeps a cool head
It was a wild game until the break. Insigne scored a worth seeing shot, then referee Slavko Vincic (Slovenia) decided on a controversial foul penalty for the Belgians: Giovanni Di Lorenzo had knocked Jeremy Doku, who accepted the offer and fell – Lukaku converted. The Italians cursed on the way into the dressing room, but came out with a cool head: They remained the more structured team and in no way just relied on defending the lead. The Belgians, who lost out at headquarters that evening, often lacked the link between defense and attack.
The individual class still provided a few more chances, De Bruyne served Lukaku in the six-yard box, Leonardo Spinazzola saved with his thigh – and celebrated the action wildly with his colleagues (61st). Less than ten minutes later, Lukaku narrowly missed with his head from a similar position, it remained a completely open game.
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