In connection with UEFA EURO 2020, Italy’s center-back Leonardo Bonucci made a statement that now sounds prophetic: “Italy’s star man is our group, because we do not have outstanding individuals like Cristiano Ronaldo or Romelu Lukaku.”
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Azzurri now face Lukaku – of course a famous face in Serie A – in the quarterfinals in Munich on Friday. Italy’s band of unlikely heroes is ready to make its mark on this tournament.
The 27-year-old Napoli right-back has not looked back since replacing the injured Alessandro Florenzi in the opening match against Turkey. Just four years ago, he was still playing in Serie C with Matera. “It’s a little weird to think back,” he told EURO2020.com. “I’ve had an important journey to get here. I’ve made many sacrifices. I’m really happy now and I’m enjoying this amazing journey.”
A striker when he grew up in Tuscany, he was nicknamed ‘Batigol’ after the former Fiorentina striker Gabriel Batistuta. But he has no special parties planned if he finds the net on EURO. “I do not know how I will react,” he said. “I will live in the moment, but it would be something unique. Let’s hope that moment comes soon.”
Spinazzola with a typically looting run along the wing / Justin Tallis – Pool / Getty Images
The 28-year-old is another late bloomer. A former attacking midfielder, Spinazzola’s career changed completely when he started playing as a left back for Perugia in 2015/16. After two consecutive seasons with Atalanta, he joined Juventus but failed to make an impact and presented only ten times in Serie A for Bianconeri. However, a fantastic 2020/21 campaign with Roma convinced Roberto Mancini that he would be the first choice on the left flank.
Two stars of match performances later, the Spinazzola is now considered one of Mancini’s greatest weapons. His threat comes largely thanks to his electric speed – he really clocked the fastest sprint during the entire group game. “If I was not fast enough, I would not play,” he said with a big smile. “The coach conveys calm and self-esteem to everyone; he includes everyone, even those in the stands. This is our main strength.”
The Sassuolo midfielder started the first two games only to be injured by Marco Verratti, but his performances – including two fantastic goals against Switzerland – were impressive enough to give Mancini a real headache.
“There was a lot of work behind this performance,” Locatelli said after the match in Switzerland. “I’m proud, I’m part of a great group and I’m happy to be here.”
The 23-year-old started a very promising start to his career with AC Milan but, after a dip, has recently started to shine at Sassuolo, the club he joined in 2018. He made his debut in Italy only in September last year but must now be in battle for a start against Belgium.
Locatelli and Pessina in training before Belgium / Claudio Villa / Getty Images
The 24-year-old midfielder Atalanta is the biggest surprise of all. He is only here at all because Stefano Sensi was forced to withdraw from the squad with an injury just before the opening match against Turkey. Pessina not only scored the only goal in the match against Wales in the group stage, he also beat Italy’s decisive second in extra time against Austria in the 16-year-old.
Pessina, who defines herself as “a student who also plays football”, is especially a lover of art and literature. He admits that he was close to quitting football when he fought in Serie C 2016.
“You have seen what this group can do, this team can achieve so much,” he told EURO2020.com after his goal against Austria. “Fede [Federico Chiesa] and I, who both came from the bench, did most of the team building from the team and then applied the goal. But we have all been good, from one to 11; that is the strength of our team. “
When Pessina was asked to compare this national team with a famous painting, he chose Vincent van Gogh’s ‘Almond Blossom’. These Azzurri heroes are really starting to come into full bloom.
