From terrorizing Zeki Celik at the start of Euro 2020 to stopping Romelu Lukaku’s goal-scoring effort on Friday night, it is fair to say that left-back Leonardo Spinazzola had a pretty great summer until around the 80th minute in Italy’s 2-1- victory over Belgium on Friday night.
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As a collective, the Azzurri has been phenomenal, but we have also seen some individual championship courses throughout this summer’s European Championships – and Spinazzola has been one of the players who has made these impressive individual performances.
Leonardo Spinazzola has been sensational for Italy / MATTHIAS HANGST / Getty Images
It is therefore a great shame that the Roma man will be absent for the rest of Italy’s campaign, after being forced off the pitch with a broken Achilles tendon during the fantastic victory in the quarterfinals.
He will miss months of football but, most heartbreaking, is the fact that he will not participate in his country’s semi-final, or possibly the final, of Euro 2020.
But instead of thinking about what may have been, let’s focus on what has been – and that’s simply Spinazzola’s sensational performance and impact on Italy’s driving in the race.
Although he entered into negotiations due to a decent individual campaign with Roma – to record two goals in four assists in Serie A – very few would have expected the left-back to produce the football he has made.
Italy’s opening fixture was dominated by his fierce presence on the left flank, which rose into the field with the inexhaustible source of energy and intensity he possesses. The Turkish right-back Celik had a tough time and was simply helpless against Spinazzola’s tricks and pace.
It was a shockingly bright show from Spinazzola – and it was just a taste of what was to come.
Leonardo Spinazzola slips past Zeki Celik / Anadolu Agency / Getty Images
It was in the knockout stages of the tournament that the 28-year-old really stamped. In his country’s round 16 with Austria, he was without a doubt the biggest attack threat on the pitch. For 120 minutes, the Austrian back line was constantly careful with his explosions in the last third and his quality of the ball when he got there.
Spinazzola was an inconvenience to keep track of and in the end they could not suffocate him. The Roma defender produced a wonderful assist for Federico Chiesa to play home for 1-0, which spurred the side on eventually securing a 2-1 victory.
The sensational screen was matched by his work during Italy’s brilliantly dominant victory over Belgium in the last eight. Another astonishing performance only delighted the left-back to neutral as he continued to show how good he is.
The high position he held when his side was in possession was the key to dictating games in advanced areas. Occupying the left wing allowed Lorenzo Insigne to get through. He outclassed the home side’s keeper, adding another goal for the visitors.
This tactic was the key to Italy’s second goal of the game. Insigne was able to float inside and picked up the ball in space, drove at a terrified backline and curled the ball into the far corners of Thibaut Courtois without any problems – a beauty made possible by Spinazzola’s selfless work.
Oh my!
Lorenzo Insigne with a special goal.
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And despite his offensive influence throughout Italy’s race to the semi-finals, he performed admirably when he was also forced to defend. This was not accentuated more than in the late stages of that quarter-final victory on Friday night.
Spinazzola was instinctively on the back post, with his body on the goal line, waiting for a dangerous ball into the box. And it came and fell perfectly for Lukaku, who was only denied by the perfectly placed Spinazzola.
It was not a moment that stole the show in any way, but it kept Italy’s 2-1 lead over Belgium late and secured the victory. It was a moment that illustrated the tireless, selfless and absolutely brilliant Spinazzola.
Leonardo Spinazzola passionately congratulated as Romelu Lukaku in disbelief that he did not score / Markus Gilliar / Getty Images
Of course, you have to feel for the 28-year-old. He has been one of Italy’s best artists throughout the summer and would have been a shoo-in to start the semi-finals – only to be injured would end his campaign prematurely.
He will be greatly missed by all who watch, especially Italy’s fans, in Azzurri’s recent matches – or match – and although we will inevitably sin against him, he definitely deserves our appreciation and admiration for a spectacular performance at Euro 2020.
