Thursday 17th June 2021
What actually happened there?
One has to wonder about these Italians
By Tobias Nordmann
Now all 24 teams have turned their first round at this European Football Championship. The first teams have already completed their second assignment. And what can you say, there is one team that is particularly enthusiastic, with a completely surprising approach: Italy.
If words could refuse, then the word “spectacular” would have resisted extremely vehemently against being associated with Italian football in one sentence. Plain defensive craft, extremely staid offensive, well, that actually has no points of contact with spectacular. That actually had no points of contact with spectacular! Because what is happening these days at the European Football Championship, especially in Rome, is amazing, impressive, sometimes magical, but not surprising.
Italy, which had actually declared the Catenaccio to be a national sanctuary, is turning away from high and pure defensive art and playing football. Fast, creative, mostly straightforward and extremely efficient. The “Squadra Azzuri” was the first team to book the ticket for the round of 16. Small objection, she was now the first to have a chance. The magical opening night at the Stadio Olimpico against Turkey (3-0) was followed by another impressive show against Switzerland (3-0). To put it into perspective: The talented Turks had great ambitions and the Swiss wanted to finally prove with their “golden generation” (shouldn’t it be more of a blonde generation?) That they are the best “national team” the country has ever seen. Both have (so far) failed. Because of Italy.
And you don’t really know what should be the most surprising thing about coach Roberto Mancini’s team. Possibly through the trainer himself. He was once very successful as a player anyway. But also as a coach. In Italy he won cups and championships with Fiorentina, Lazio and Inter Milan. Likewise in England, with Manchester City. And in Turkey with Galatasaray. There the 56-year-old also won his last trophy so far, the trophy in the 2013/14 season. When he took over the proud national team in May 2018, it was brutally humiliated. While 32 countries were preparing for the World Cup, Italy had a break. The qualification for Russia was not successful. The team’s pride broken. The doubts about Mancini are great. Wasn’t his great success too long ago?
Nobody should doubt anymore!
There are doubts that echo as if from a distant world. After a mega-experiment with over 70 players, the coach created a collective of defensive giants around the indestructible dueling artists Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini (he was injured against Switzerland, the diagnosis is unclear, the hope of only a slight injury is high) , Strategists and quick, tricky offensive forces. This collective is finalized by Ciro Immobile, who has been one of the best strikers in Europe for years. That he once failed miserably at BVB, somehow still unbelievable.
The Italians remained undefeated against Switzerland for the 29th time in a row. They even won their last ten games, scoring 31-0 goals (!). The record of a top favorite for the European title. The balance sheet of a team that makes it clear to its critics in the clearest possible way that the refinement of offensive glossy moments is not the big weak point after all. You have to look for that with plenty of perseverance anyway. Neither in goal, where the young Gianluigi Donnarumma impressively replaced legend Gianluigi Buffon, nor in defense, not even in midfield and certainly not at the top, there are gaps in the system.
Quite an impressive mix
What is particularly impressive: This team can do without the one superstar. If you disregard the two old central defenders. They would have deserved the status, however, so incredibly well they have mastered the art of defense. Otherwise there is a Lorenzo Insigne, a gifted fumbler, always bilious, always creative. Sometimes a little too optimistic in his actions. But driven by a greed for tricks and fools. Then there is Leonardo Spinazzola, a full-back with force and courage. And then of course there is Manuel Locatelli, who scored twice against Switzerland. Only after a wonderfully easily played attack (26th), then with a full long-range shot (52nd). Oh, and there are so many more.
The pride is back in Italy. The joy too. What unbelievable scenes were those when the Italians fell madly on top of each other after their goals, huddled, cuddled and immediately went on hot. No slacking off. One would be happy to see a German team escalate so euphorically (well, that would take a goal). And to see it play so beautifully, simply and purposefully (well, that would take courage and conviction).
“I dedicate progress to everyone who has suffered and who are still suffering,” said Mancini late on Wednesday evening in Rome, referring to the corona pandemic, which hit Italy hard. Locatelli added that they wanted to “continue to give people joy”. Indeed, it can be a very long journey of joy. Whoever plays like that is a favorite. Especially when other favorites are not (yet) impressive. Like France, which had clearly dominated Germany in the 1-0 victory, but not yet played scary. Mancini takes it easy, humble. “That was fantastic, but we still have a long way to go.” There are teams like world champions France, European champions Portugal and world number one Belgium, “who have developed in recent years and are one step ahead”. But, he then added: “Anything can happen in football, you have to reckon with anything.”
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