Semi-final against Spain
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Italy wants to reach the final with this team
Italy beat Belgium in the quarter-finals.
Photo: dpa/Matthias Schrader
Düsseldorf Italy are one of the top favorites for the European Championships and so far they have been convincing in all parts of the team. In addition to the old hands, there are also young players who are causing quite a stir. Only the central striker has recently sparked criticism.
Gianluigi Donnarumma is only 22 years old, but he’s been in the professional business for years. Legendary successor Gianluigi Buffon has already completed 31 caps. He showed strong reactions in the quarter-final against Belgium and saved his team in extra time against Austria.
Also as goalkeepers in the Italian team: Alex Meret and Salvatore Sirigu
In the central defense, experienced warriors Giorgio Chiellini (36) and Leonardo Bonucci (34) control everything. They only had to concede two goals in this European Championship. On the left side of the defence, Italy must replace formerly strong Leonardo Spinazzola, who tore his Achilles tendon in the quarter-finals. Emerson, who was already in the starting lineup for the group match against Wales, will play with him. Last season he played only a few games at Chelsea. Right-back is Giovanni Di Lorenzo, who had some problems with Jeremy Duques against Belgium and caused a penalty, albeit questionable.
Also as defenders in the team: Alessandro Florenzi, Alessandro Bastoni, Francesco Acerbi, Rafael Toloi
Jorginho, Marco Verratti and Nicolò Barella – The midfield currently plays on a world class level. “He’s one of the best midfielders I’ve ever played with,” Parilla said of his teammates. The 24-year-old won the Italian league with Inter Milan, and in front of Belgium beat three opponents in the penalty area and scored the opening goal. Jorginho of Champions League champion FC Chelsea pulls the strings somewhat inconspicuous, but he is omnipresent on the pitch and ensures Italy have the ball very well from defense to attack. Marco Verratti was only fit on the championship track, but then he was in the starting lineup every time. Thanks to his football conquests, he can always launch attacks, as was the case before Barilla 1-0 against Belgium. From the bench, Italy can add quality in midfield: Manuel Locatelli and Matteo Pesina scored twice.
Also in the team as a midfielder: Brian Cristante, Gaetano Castrovilli, Federico Bernardeschi.
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26 photos of the tournament’s top scorer
Photo: AP / Matthias Hangst
Midfielder Ciro Immobile was disappointed after two defeats in the preliminary round in knockout matches and received a lot of criticism. It was also due to his acting performance against Belgium, when he first lay on the ground and then suddenly jumped when Italy’s opening goal fell. But in terms of sports, an attacker can always cause a danger. Lorenzo Insigne turned left and scored his dream goal with a single tap against Belgium. The agile striker is also in two goals in the tournament. Federico Chiesa should start on the right. The 23-year-old from Juventus Turin is technically strong and scored the important 1-0 goal in extra time against Austria as a clown.
Also as strikers in the team: Giacomo Rasbadori, Andrea Belotti, Domenico Berardi.
Roberto Mancini took charge of the Italian national team after missing the 2018 World Cup and formed the team again into a senior squad. Test scores of players until he gets his perfect team. Under his leadership, “Squadra Azzurra” was unbeaten in 32 matches and Mancini was praised from all sides.
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