Italy Euro 2021 Squad(Players List), Strengths, Weakness, Predictions: Italy was unable to qualify for the 2018 World Cup but managed to qualify for the upcoming Euro 2020 by clinching a historic victory with 10 out of 10 qualifiers scoring remarkable 37 goals comfortably to top the group chart. Roberto Mancini’s preparation remained unbeaten throughout the last 14 games after losing against Portugal in the Nations League match in September 2018. Also, Azurri showed commendable progress for the summers tournament.
Italy after outperforming finalists in 2012, the team has so far managed to settle to draw with Turkey, Wales and Switzerland in Group A stage. So here we have access to the team’s key strengths and weakness and also a prediction for the upcoming summers European Championship.
Strengths :
Italy’s major strength lies in its young and powerful squad. The team is looked upon as one of the strong contenders at the Euro Championship, the reason being its fearless and energetic youths. Gianluigi Donnarumma, a 20-year-old goalkeeper is all set to knock the oppositions with the 22-year-old midfielder Nicolo Barella who has been discovered in the Inter this season.
Another strength lies in the form of 19-year-old Sandro Tonali, packed with sheer intelligence and composure, consider to be a huge threat and competent, maybe more for Jorginho. There are a lot of hopes and aspirations from these young line ups, leading ahead as a refreshing change from that of the experienced ones who have largely disappointed since their 2006 world cup hunt. Italy holds an average score of 3.7 goals in every game in the qualifying game including a 9-1 win against lowly Armenia. The star performer Striker Ciro Immobile is standing strongly in Serie A as a top scorer this season, way ahead of Messi and Ronaldo –Esque scoring 23 goals in just 20 appearances.
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Inmobile proficient in front goal has not been able to deliver as a regular starter for this team, with the likes of Torino captain Andrea Belotti at the front. His main choice for attacking options always stayed with Roberto Mancini. Italy so far has been known more for its defensive and boring strategies, with Mancini has maintained the defensive stand, leading the team into qualification round four times. He has flawlessly attacked the opposition in some of the major events.
Weakness :
One of the major downsides of the team is the lack of experience of the youth players. There has been a major transition in the team’s squad since its last appearance at the international tournament at the Euro 2016. The team is lacking experienced players, with two-thirds of the squad that lead the team into the quarter-finals in France are now no longer the part of the international squad.
Italy is currently lined up with energetic and strong attacking players but failed to handle the situations in front goal during the qualifying matches. After prevailing 25 shots in a crucial encounter against Finland, the leading Robert Mancini team had to rely on a Jorginho penalty to seal the much important three points.
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The team faced a stressed situation against Armenia that had 74% of the ball with 17 shots, of which six of them were places on target, somehow managing to rescue with an 80th-minute goal that finally led them to escape victory.
The team faced a struggling start against Armenia in the recent qualifiers with a 9-1 thrash. Azurii was able to find the spot from three of their seven shots against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Now the competitions in the Euro 2020 Championship are going to be fierce and stiff where the team will be on the ground with little opportunities and each goal will make them count.
Predictions :
Italy no doubt is everyone’s favorite in the group games, however, Wales is on improving side who can act as a major hurdle when their key players Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey gets fit. Switzerland on the other side is also emerging as a strong contender, dominating at every stage of the tournament.
Italy has to outperform the three tough group fixtures to get through the knock out stages. Roberts Mancini’s all-round performance in the tournament could work in the team’s favor, finding a sweet spot into the semi-finals.
Prediction: Semi-Finalists.