Italy are outsiders to pick up their first European Championships in over half a century, but at 11/1 with NetBet, they aren’t the worst bet in the tournament. It appears likely that they’ll get out of their group, which includes Turkey, Switzerland and Wales, but we have them priced at 7/5 to be eliminated in the round of 16. Roberto Mancini’s men haven’t lost in 26 matches, and the former Man City and Inter Milan boss has his troops looking like a team who play with real confidence after they embarrassingly failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Their last loss was a 1-0 reverse to reigning European champions Portugal almost three years ago, and since then they have looked like they won’t be losing any time soon.
Key Players
Their squad blends youth with a backbone of solid experience, with an adaptable 4-3-3 formation that has worked to great effect at club level before for Mancini, and appears to be the perfect fit for the international game as well. Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonnucci from Juventus are constants in this team, with Ciro Immobile a big impact player farther up the pitch. They’ll be confident in their goalkeeper; AC Milan’s Gianluigi Donnarumma as well as attacking duo Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Chiesa. That formation will have to be adapted against teams with more width, for example, Gareth Southgate’s England or Portugal, but for teams like Turkey and Wales they should fancy themselves. Switzerland will likely pose them their toughest threat in the second group game in what will surely be an exciting clash. They’re still sweating on the fitness of Marco Verratti, who was named in the extended squad a few days ago. Team doctor Andrea Ferretti told media on Tuesday: “Regarding Verratti and the other players coming back from injuries, we have already carried out checks and we can’t exclude a recovery for any of them. The knee is not bad. We can also possibly imagine the chance that he will be used once the Euro has started.”
Mancini’s Legacy
Mancini is going to be in charge of these players for a while to come, and appears to have built a trust in his philosophy which previous coaches didn’t have. He recently extended his contract for another four years, which will mean he’s in charge at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Euro 2024 in Germany and the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Speaking about the announcement, Mancini said: “I’m very happy. I must thank the Federation and President Gravina. We’re trying to carry on the work that we’ve already reaped the benefits of, the fact that I can put together a team that I like gives me a lot of satisfaction, and I am optimistic for the future.”
FIGC President Gabriele Gravina added: “It’s an announcement that we’ve been working on for some time because a project needs time to be completed, and we wanted to continue the work that has been done in the last three years”.
Ultimately, they’ll face their toughest tests outside of the group phase, and if they reach that point then Italy are very realistic contenders in this tournament. The mentality of winning truly appears to be back within this group of players, and this is, after all, a nation that has won four World Cups in their history. They have the knowhow and experience to navigate their way through a championship format, and while their experience has been limited in recent years, they’ll be confident of their ability to win a penalty shootout if any games come to that. Can Italy win Euro 2020? It’s definitely a more likely possibility than our 11/1 odds give it credit for. We’d say they are the most attractive prospect of any of the staunch outsiders with odds in the double figures. They’re born winners and appear to have a squad who are gelling at the perfect time, so they certainly can. Will they? We’ll have to see how they do against the Frances of the world, but they are definitely a fascinating dark horse.
Italy Euro 2020 Squad
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma (AC Milan), Alex Meret (SSC Napoli), Salvatore Sirigu (FC Torino);
Defenders: Francesco Acerbi (SS Lazio), Alessandro Bastoni (FC Inter), Cristiano Biraghi (AC Fiorentina), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (SSC Napoli), Alessandro Florenzi (Paris Saint Germain), Leonardo Spinazzola (AS Roma), Rafael Toloi (Atalanta);
Midfielders: Nicolò Barella (FC Inter), Bryan Cristante (AS Roma), Jorginho (Chelsea), Manuel Locatelli (Sassuolo), Lorenzo Pellegrini (AS Roma), Stefano Sensi (FC Inter), Marco Verratti (Paris Saint Germain);
Strikers: Andrea Belotti (FC Torino), Domenico Berardi (Sassuolo), Federico Bernardeschi (Juventus), Federico Chiesa (Juventus), Ciro Immobile (SS Lazio), Lorenzo Insigne (SSC Napoli), Giacomo Raspadori (Sassuolo).