When Euro 2020 started, we can all agree that we expected France or Belgium to lift the trophy when the dust settled.
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France were overwhelming all the time and were deservedly dumped by Switzerland in the quarter-finals, and Belgium are now out in the quarter-finals in the hands of the side who simply have to be considered the new favorites to win it all; Italy.
A 2-1 victory over the side that is ranked number one in the world is impressive even without context, but the points report does not tell the whole story here. Italy was absolutely amazing.
After taking ten minutes to settle down in the match, Italy took a stranglehold on the game and began to methodically tighten the grip with relentless pressure and nipple pass that did not let Belgium breathe, both literally and figuratively.
Midfield trio Marco Verratti, Jorginho and Nicolo Barella were just exceptional. They roared around the pitch from start to finish, chasing Belgium to give up possession and forcing the team forward with some composed passes.
Nicolò Barella puts Italy forward with this fine strike? #BEL 0-1 #ITA
? Watch live: https://t.co/E7DKcQ7Jih#bbceuro2020 # euro2020 pic.twitter.com/E1mXPEw4TI
Today’s match (@BBCMOTD) July 2, 2021
They made Youri Tielemans and Axel Witsel look exceptionally average and kept Kevin De Bruyne – one of the most creative and diligent midfielders in the world – quiet for most of the game. They prevented anyone from getting close enough to Romelu Lukaku to cause any problems.
It was a dominant performance from Italy’s midfield trio, but what makes I Nerazzuri such a terrible proposition is that this is not the first time they have done it. In fact, Italy has performed like this in every game so far this summer.
Roberto Mancini’s men were impressive enough when they took apart Turkey, Switzerland, Wales and Austria, but to do it against a real power plant like Belgium? Jeeeez.
Mancini has built a dominant site / Quality Sport Images / Getty Images
The job is not done for Italy yet. They just have to be impressive to get through a Spanish side that will try to defeat Mancini’s side, but based on this performance, they have more than enough quality in mind to get the job done.
The Italian re-experience is very much alive, and only three years after they did not qualify for the World Cup 2018, they look like the best national team in Europe – and anything less than winning the trophy can now be seen as a failure.
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