Italy has looked really fantastic since the first ball was kicked to Euro 2020.
Their 3-0 victory over Turkey on the day of the tournament, followed by another 3-0 victory over Switzerland on match day two were very clear statements: Italy is bloody good and is here to win.
Throughout the tournament, Roberto Mancini’s side has been a fantastic unit that boasts stoic defensive solidity, masterful creators and match dictators and a terrifying threat from wide areas.
The Italian team celebrates reaching the Euro 2020 final / MATT DUNHAM / Getty Images
But since the group game, one thing has been missing in Azzurri’s game.
Ciro Immobile got his Euro 2020 journey off to a perfect start, notch two goals and an assist in his team’s two opening matches. But since this move and was handed over in Italy’s match day three meeting with Wales, the Lazio striker has simply not acted – and given reason for the Italians to worry.
In their 2-1 victory over Austria in the round of 16, Immobile was largely wasteful and completely ineffective. In the end, goals from the outstanding wing Federico Chiesa and midfielder Matteo Pessina sent Azzurri through the last eight.
In that quarter-final match, Italy showed a dominant display to beat Belgium 2-1 – even though Immobile disappeared again. The game went past him completely, he looked good out of step and was never likely to make the slightest impact.
Oh, and he gave us all a massive laugh (besides Alan Shearer) with an embarrassing dive.
“I do not even want to laugh at it because it is pathetic!”
Alan Shearer was not impressed with Ciro Immobile’s theater? #Bbcfootball #ITA # euro2020 pic.twitter.com/kQP1uE88l7
Today’s match (@BBCMOTD) July 2, 2021
Against Spain in the semifinals, things did not improve. Immobile was not as lifeless – or naughty – as he was against Belgium, but he was still absent in his sides’ possible 4-2 victory on penalties.
Immobile has simply not been the focal point his side has been demanding since his windy start to the tournament.
And while Andrea Belotti has come off the bench and done well, there is no doubt that Mancini is looking to Immobile for goals – Lazio frontman’s 20 Serie A strikes compared to Belotti’s 13 in the 2020/21 campaign are proof enough.
Ciro Immobile fights with Aymeric Laporte / Claudio Villa / Getty Images
Immobile is Italy’s top man when it comes to leading the line, and he simply has to increase his game for Sunday night’s grand final – especially given that the Azzurri face an England side who have only conceded once during the competition.
Mikkel Damsgaard’s fantastic free kick was the first strike that made its way past Jordan Pickford between the sticks, which only confirmed that something special was really needed to get through the English back line.
The partnership between Harry Maguire and John Stones at the heart of the defense has looked solid so far this summer, while Kyle Walker and Luke Shaw on both sides of them have been pretty much perfect in their roles.
Italy does not get too many opportunities to score against Three Lions.
Therefore, Immobile must be sharp, alert and in top form to challenge his opposition at Wembley. The 31-year-old will need to regain his ability to get in and the clinical distance that has made him such a goal machine in recent times to really test England.
England’s midfielders have been brilliant at Euro 2020 / Andy Rain – Pool / Getty Images
Mancini’s side have managed to find quality pieces from other areas on the field to get through the European Championship 2020 final, but they will need a song ahead to break down the tournament’s strongest defense.
Italy undeniably has the quality to blow away opposition, but to taste glory on Sunday, they simply need more from Immobile.
