Verratti shines as Italy boast an embarrassment of riches in midfield talent

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Italy’s midfield continued to be the shining light at Euro 2020 as the returning Marco Verratti stepped up to the plate, starring in their 1-0 win over Wales at the Stadio Olympico in Rome to extend their unbeaten run to 30 games.

Despite Switzerland’s 3-1 victory in Baku over Turkey, Wales join Italy in qualifying out of Group A for the second round of the tournament. For Roberto Mancini’s men, it was an opportunity to get minutes into the legs of squad members, making eight changes from the side that put the Swiss to the sword on Wednesday evening. Verratti was the notable inclusion, with Georgio Chiellini also missing from Italy’s lineup through injury.

From the very off, Verratti was at the heart of everything good in an Italian performance that still showed plenty of quality despite the number of changes. Pulling the strings in midfield, 28-year old Verratti dictated the play with the short, neat passing that has been a strong feature of Mancini’s Italy.

Brave on the ball in tight positions, there was a moment in the opening exchanges where the Wales press threatened to catch the Paris St.Germain out but calm under pressure, the midfielder expertly found a way out of trouble.

There were no signs of nerves, and as the half wore on, Verratti looked stronger by the minute. As he continued demand to demand the ball and move his side further up the pitch, Verratti conducted the side’s rhythm to a new tune.

With his movement from midfield offering more than just sitting alongside Jorginho, Verratti came close to playing decisive parts before grabbing his assist just before the break. On 28 minutes, the midfielder twisted and turned on the edge of the box before his diagonal cross was overhit with Federico Chiesa looking to get in behind Chris Gunter.

From a deeper-lying midfield position, Verratti showed his range of passing. Picking out the clever run of Torino’s Andrea Belotti, his floated 30-yard pass over the Welsh backline just had a little too much weight on the pass, as goalkeeper Danny Ward gratefully collected in goal.

His quality from set-pieces was certainly an added dimension to an already impressive Italian side, with his delivery on 39 minutes brought the opening and decisive goal. A rehearsed free-kick routine saw Matteo Pessina get ahead of Joe Morrell to flick home Verratti’s low ball into the back of the net.

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It was the Atalanta midfielder’s third goal in seven outings for the national side, and he too will be another candidate for a starting birth with an impressive display.

With Robert Page’s men on the ropes, Verratti continued to apply the pressure. Following clever play along the Welsh left, he very nearly found Pessina once more, who had made a surging run into the box but couldn’t quite get enough on his effort from seven yards out.

With Leonardo Bonucci coming off at the halftime break, Verratti emerged with the captain’s armband. Although not quite as influential further up the pitch in the second period, the sending off of Ethan Ampadu played right into the hands of the PSG midfielder to keep Italy’s tempo ticking along with relative ease.

From set-pieces, he almost brought about Italy’s second goal to wrap proceedings up. Substitute Francesco Acerbi flicked on his floated corner to the near post, but as the ball flashed across the face of the goal, there was no man in a blue shirt to apply the finishing touch. On 84 minutes, another dead-ball delivery almost found Acerbi once more. Still, some excellent defending from Joe Rodon prevented the Lazio centre back from getting on the end of another pinpoint cross.

As The Azzurri look to progress into the quarter-final stages at Wembley next Saturday, a dilemma will certainly await Mancini as he decides on his ultimate midfield. The form of Jorginho, Nicolo Barella and Manuel Locatelli has been excellent so far in the tournament, but there is no doubt that Verratti is arguably their stand out midfielder.

1 – Marco Verratti led all players in the Italy vs Wales match for touches (136), passes completed (103), chances created (5) and tackles (4), as well as assisting the only goal of the game. Gifted. #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/akWQSbejgM

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 20, 2021

Boasting a passing accuracy of 94%, Verratti won 80% of his ground duals and carried the ball with greater purpose from Italy’s midfield. If this were his return to fitness, Mancini would be reassured that there aren’t any lingering concerns, and Verratti is ready to take Italy to the next level.

“When we say that this team is for everyone, we’re not just saying that. There are 26 of us, and we’re all proud to represent our country and ready to give our best.”

Frederico Chiesa and Bernadeschi were also bright for Italy on either flank, with the star of the match Chiesa showing his electric turn of pace throughout the ninety minutes. Bernadeschi was bright in possession and showed his ability from set-pieces as his well-struck free-kick from 30 yards thundered against Ward’s goal as the ball curled low around the Welsh wall.

If there were any doubts over Italy’s depth in their squad in other positions, both Acerbi and Allesandro Bastoni minimised the threat of Gareth Bale. Despite the Real Madrid striker missing an absolute sitter by his standards on 75 minutes, Gigi Donarrumma chalked up his third clean sheet of the tournament.

On the back of 13th consecutive wins in competitive European games, the Italians look every inch the team to be reckoned with. With Mancini looking relaxed along the touchline, he even had time to roll back the years, showing great technique to catch the ball on the volley with his back heel. The moment captured the swagger about Mancini’s Italy. The Azzurri look relaxed, happy and full of ability.

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