The tournament is Euro 2020 and a new position has been invented.
Vänsterbackbacken. Do not be fooled, this is not the left back. Far from. This is a left-back, who starts the game as part of a flat back-four, and yet manages to be the most potent and attacking threat on the team.
The creator of this new art is Leonardo Spinazzola.
The AS Roma star has flourished for the past two years in the Italian capital and has become one of the most carefree and unstoppable wingers in Europe. Paulo Fonseca’s high-risk and high-goal concession football made it possible for the 28-year-old to make his attacking movement perfect, and he is now as scary as any winger in the industry.
Spinazzola is a rare breed of football player, comfortable on each foot and boasts the incredible habit of constantly fooling its marker with a shimmy and a shoulder drop. His ambidextrous nature makes it impossible to predict whether he will finally cut into his “preferred” right foot or burn you to the outside and whip another cross into the box.
The Italian’s attacking skill was in place in abundance during the 2-1 victory over Austria on Saturday night, although Wembley had to wait about ten minutes for their first painful accusation in opposition territory.
??? A great season for club and country …
Go on, Leonardo Spinazzola! ? #ASRoma pic.twitter.com/FiI08iXyQc
– AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) June 26, 2021
It started with a nice inside before he chopped the ball towards the touchline and rushed away from a series of desperate tackles.
A pass inside was unpunished, but the ball was back at his feet in an instant, and he moved it on his left foot before drilling next to the near post. A warning shot. He almost added another assist to his repertoire and cut the ball back to the edge of the box, but Nicolo Barella could not apply goals.
Spinazzola got another shot shortly after and forced Daniel Bachmann to an important save on the right. With the ball then, he is a threat and as adventurous and forward-looking as any real edge tip.
But even without the ball, he is just as problematic for the opponents to pick up. When Italy is in possession, Spinazzola places himself so high up on the left wing, squeezing and occupying the slopes, which at the same time allows Lorenzo Insigne to drive into the field.
Spinazzola is really outrageously good in this tournament. The only thing that moved his career was injuries. When he’s healthy, it’s Spina Time
– Matteo Bonetti (@Bonetti) June 26, 2021
It facilitates the Napoli star’s play to perfection, as he can cut into his very favored right foot and either curl up in a shot or whip a cross in the box. The overload on the left edge gives the chance to play intelligent triangular passing patterns, which eventually create opportunities behind even the deepest back lines.
Although Insigne did not have the best game of his career, Spinazzola enjoyed one of his most eye-catching. The defender continued to rage on the left flank, and even when his teammates were in a panic and lost their heads, he refused to be begged by the size of the opportunity.
Tensions were high in the extension after Italy had survived some severe Austrian pressure, and they had to go off on the right foot for the last 30 minutes. A moment of calm and clarity amidst all the chaos was required, and Spinazzola gave just that.
Instead of hitting his marker for the fifth time, he instead raised his head, looked over to the other side of the pitch and cut a raised pass into the path of the fresh Federico Chiesa. The wing made the most of this gift, checking with his head, stepping in and striking a strike in the far corner.
⚡️ Electric in attack, shining on the back. Leonardo Spinazzola gets his second trophy star! ? @Heineken | #EUROSOTM | # EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/AFjxRck4Bk
– UEFA EURO 2020 (@ EURO2020) 26 June 2021
Italy got the job done in the end, first with a 2-0 lead, before withstanding a tense final eight-minute extra time when Austria halved their deficit to 2-1. But progress to the quarter-finals was no less than Gli Azzurri – and especially Spinazzola – deserved.
The Roma star claimed his second Star of the Match award in four Euro 2020 competitions, which proved his worth for this Italian side and sent his market value in the height of two weeks.
Giallorossi fans will enjoy watching their star shine on the biggest stage, but that pleasure may be colored with a bit of concern – Spinazzola is taking Europe by storm, and the football giants should line up for their services.
