Now that the fireworks fumes have faded and the car horns have gradually fallen silent over Italy, the country can begin to process exactly what special talent they have in their hands in Federico Chiesa.
The 23-year-old only started his third match in Euro 2020 in Tuesday’s dramatic penalty win over Spain, after being left on the bench for Azzurri’s first two group matches, and had to watch the majority from the touchline against Austria in the round of 16.
It was against the Austrians that his tournament really began, after he was introduced into action towards the end of 90 minutes and broke the deadlock with a fantastic finish five minutes into extra time. From that moment on, he has been unstoppable and he showed exactly why once again in the semifinals.
Italy easily delivered their least convincing display of the tournament at Wembley on Tuesday and were comfortably second best to a hungry and determined Spain. La Furia Roja resembled a boa constrictor in London, fascinating and circling its opponents, closing its grip tighter and tighter around Italy’s neck until the moment of the strike came.
But just as the beast lost its teeth and opened wide, ready to strike, the Azzurri delivered a devastating setback, all thanks to their new boy wonders. Chiesa freed Italy from the shackles of their suffocation, pulled a dagger from its sock and passed it through its opponent’s belly, allowing Italians all over the world to swallow air.
Tired legs in the field / Frank Augstein – Pool / Getty Images
The Juventus star took advantage of one of Italy’s rare bets on the Spanish half and hit a loose ball when Ciro Immobile had been tackled before dimensioning his marker to the left of the penalty area.
Chiesa then did what he has done so many times for Fiorentina before, and what Bianconeri’s fans have had the pleasure of witnessing during his debut season in Turin, when he chopped into the defense, picked his place and curled a fantastic strike in the far corner.
From the moment the missile left its boot, Chiesa knew he had found the inside of the post – and judging by the grimace on goalkeeper Unai Simon’s face, he did too. Wembley Stadium exploded when the ball hit the net, and Chiesa set off for a mazy and clearly unplanned party.
Federico Chiesa, it’s sensational.
Watch and listen to the BBC https://t.co/aSUp58i3Qr #ITAESP # euro2020 # bbceuro2020 pic.twitter.com/I5KICFLNLL
Today’s match (@BBCMOTD) July 6, 2021
For the second time in a few weeks, the winger had come up with a goal that would be remembered by his nation for decades to come, proving that he is fast becoming the ultimate big player. In the end, it was not his strike that booked Italy’s place in the final, but his overall performance really helped.
Spain struck back and shook the Azzurri, and when Alvaro Morata had restored parity, there seemed to be only one winner on the cards. Italy, however, dug deep, and no one portrayed this stubbornness and refusal to give in to more than Chiesa.
He ran down to the ground and offered his teammates an important outlet on the flank in possession and harassed back to harass opponents when Spain was on the ball. He did his best to press the unbeaten Sergio Busquets and Pedri in the middle and sacrificed so much of his attacking threat to his country’s defensive security.
In the end, Chiesa could not continue. He had run his race and had to be replaced in extra time. But the standards he set remained intact despite his absence, and the 11 players on the field got the job done.
? ️ #Chiesa: “This is an incredible dream.” # VivoAzzurro # EURO2020 #ITA #ITAESP pic.twitter.com/o5PGSEoiSD
– Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@azzurri) July 7, 2021
Italy is now a victory from their first major trophy in 15 years, and they will not fear which team they will finally face in the Euro 2020 final. There is a self-confidence and a desire that flows through this team, and supporters know that they have several talismans that they can hang on to.
But in Chiesa, they would bet his house that he would come up trump in the grand final. No pressure, Federico – not that he feels it, anyway.
