Returning Euro 2020 Champions Italy, the toast of the nation

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Roberto Mancini pulled off heroics and cemented his place in Italian folklore as Italy lifted the Euro 2020 trophy, having pulled off a famous victory at Wembley on Sunday evening.

Despite going to a dramatic penalty shootout, Italy had edged the game’s 120 minutes, being the better side on the evening as England failed to come up with an answer to beat Mancini’s resilient squad.

Having shown the resolve to grind out wins against both Austria and Spain when up against it, the effort to take the game to penalties had been monumental in itself. Without tournament stars Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Chiesa on the pitch to win the game outright, going into extra time, Mancini showed faith in his squad that they could see the job through to the end despite their lack of attacking threat.

While Gareth Southgate could have seized upon the opportunity to potentially outscore his counterparts, with the far earlier introductions of Jack Grealish, Jordan Sancho and Marcus Rashford, Italy’s trenches had been well and truly dug in by extra time.

Having conceded to Luke Shaw’s third-minute goal, Italy could have easily caved to the wall of noise inside Wembley. But for Bonucci and his teammates, they had already discussed the potential influence of the crowd and the importance of it not detracting from the task in hand.

“We said during the warm-up, what was happening in the stands was purely just background noise. We had 34 games unbeaten, all we needed to do was exactly what we’d done so far to get here, not one bit more, not one bit less.” – Leonardo Bonucci

However, for a country that had experienced some of the earliest tragedies of the pandemic, once the home crowd had started to boo the Italian national anthem, the lack of respect had ignited an even greater sense of national pride.

There was no way that Mancini’s lieutenants Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini were ever going to surrender to the Wembley crowd without fighting. As the cameras panned across the Italian line-up, Chiellini looked to soak up every last chorus of boos. Going into his most probable last major tournament at the ripe old age of 36, the whistles and jeers would provide additional energy and motivation needed.

Indeed, despite the early goal deficit, there was to be no panic from the Mancini’s men, and as Jorginho and co got into their rhythm at England’s peril, once the foothold had been gained, they never really looked like losing the game. Jorginho was once more highly influential with 96% pass accuracy stats, and Marco Verratti, not far behind him on 94%.

With the old guard of Bonucci and Chiellini in front of tournament superstar Gigi Donarrumma’s goal, Mancini’s Italy, which have been lauded for their attacking prowess, had reverted to the old ways. By the end of the competition, they looked every inch the quintessential Italian mean and stubborn defence.

By hook or by crook, Italy were determined to hold on, and the cynical but nothing more than a yellow card grab on Bukayo Saka epitomised Chiellini’s defiance in the face of adversity. The image of the Juve centre back putting the breaks on Saka could well sit under the definition of professional foul – purists of Italian defending might even behold it as a thing of beauty.

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But as England failed to muster any real pressure on the Italian goal, the game fell into the lottery of the penalty shootout. Still, if tickers were being handed out, the Azzurri held most of them on previous experiences. Donarrumma was once more the hero, saving Saka’s penalty when Jorginho’s previous penalty had been thwarted brilliantly by Jordan Pickford.

It’s been quite the week for Donarrumma so far, European Champion and Player of the Tournament on Sunday evening; Paris St Germain unveiled him in a bumper deal on Wednesday, which will keep him in the French capital until 2026.

The last laugh on Sunday evening, however, fell to Leonardo Bonucci. Having already grabbed his side’s all-important equalizer, Italy’s captain thoroughly revelled in victory at full time. As the players celebrated victory, he couldn’t resist the mocking of the English with a shout of ‘It’s coming to Rome’ to the nearest TV cameraman.

“It’s a unique feeling and we are relishing it. Seeing 65,000 people leave before the trophy was handed out is something to relish, now the cup is coming to Rome. They thought it was staying in London, sorry for them, but Italy once again taught a lesson.”- Leonardo Bonucci

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For Roberto Mancini, usually appearing as cool as a cucumber on the touchline, Italy’s triumph had overwhelmed him to the point of tears, the icing on the cake of a 34 match unbeaten run. As he recalled career disappointments during his playing days (an infamous penalty knockout in Italia 90), Mancini felt that post-match, he’d endured enough in his career to have earned his moment in the sun.

“It was the emotion which happens after achieving something incredible. It was the emotion of seeing the guys celebrate and the fans in the stands,” he said.

“Seeing everything we have managed to create, all of the hard work we have put in over the last three years, but specifically the last 50 days which have been very hard.

“It’s the fact we have been able to forge this team spirit over the last 50 days, they have really created something which can never be separated going forward. They will always be synonymous with this triumph.” – Roberto Mancini

Back on Italian soil on Monday morning, the returning heroes were treated to a glorious reception as the trophy made its way through the streets of Rome. If the public’s adulation wasn’t enough, players of yester-year heaped the deserving praise on Mancini for his efforts and the sense of national pride that has been injected back into the country’s beloved game, having failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

“In my career, I have had the Leonardo da Vinci of coaches, Arrigo Sacchi: well, Mancini has the same courage and has shown it since his debut in Serie A.

“Roberto is a courageous man who embodies many values. It’s enough to see this Italy become champions without having absolute stars.” – Alessandro Costacurta

But whilst praise from your peers is one thing, Italian President Sergio Mattarella couldn’t hide his delight at their Wembley triumph.

“You didn’t just try to win, you won by playing magnificent football. You displayed harmony as a team and in how you played, and Roberto Mancini deserves our thanks. He’s shown faith ever since taking over the role, revolutionised the team’s build-up play and been accurate in his preparations for every match.” – Italian President Sergio Mattarella

Whilst this Italian side may not have been the greatest to lift a major trophy, their achievement is up there with the best. At a time where the nation’s pride had been damaged to unparalleled levels in recent times on the pitch, the effect of the pandemic had pulled Italy’s to its knees. There is a new Emperor in Rome, and his name is Roberto Mancini.

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