Italy, Champions of Europe

 Italy are Champions of Europe for the first time since 1968, a 53 year-long wait. Our unbeaten run stretched to 34 matches and proved to be fruitful as we won something to show for it. I have seen Italy lose two European Championships finals, heartbreakingly at Euro 2000 and humiliated at Euro 2012 so this victory goes some way to easing the pain felt mainly for Euro 2000. I am elated, on a high and have a lot to say but first, let’s look back at the match in Part 1.

The Final

Italy was caught out cold by England’s change in formation just as they were by the change of Spanish tactics in the semi-final. England scored from their first attack and it was a well-constructed move that started with Harry Kane. Giovanni Di Lorenzo was caught napping at the back post and was not covered by Federico Chiesa. England threatened to score more through the same source that provided the assist, Kieran Trippier on the right flank. Their goalscorer, Luke Shaw too carried a threat on the opposite flank but they couldn’t build on their lead. This was the first time in the tournament Italy had conceded first so faced a new challenge. Italy composed itself around the 20-25 minutes mark by getting on the ball and patiently passing it around. However, for all the possession, Italy kept, we didn’t pose much of a threat going forward; I can’t remember a clear chance created. The one shot we had on target in the first half was a feeble attempt. In the second half, Chiesa had a shot that forced Jordan Pickford in the England goal to make a good save. Finally, the dominance paid off when Leonardo Bonucci bundled in from a corner. Italy didn’t press hard enough to score the winner and England who had made a change in formation after conceding prevented us a bit. The extra-time was played out with both teams having small periods of domination without posing a major threat and the match went to the dreaded shootout. The commentators kept reminding us that no team has won two penalty shootouts in a row in the history of the competition but Italy created history. Andrea Belotti was the first to miss and I felt he should have done better with his kick. Marcus Rashford hardly misses a penalty but Italy can thank their lucky stars when his penalty hit the post. I would have preferred to have won it through Jorginho’s penalty but he didn’t take a good one and Pickford was able to save it. Gianluigi Donnarumma came to Italy’s rescue saving Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka’s penalties.