Noisy Neutrals: Italy’s Defensive Fortitude Proves Key to Success
The 2021 European Championship, affectionately known as Euro 2020, has been a rollercoaster ride of emotions for fans all across the continent. And yet, among the many teams that have left their mark on the tournament, one that stands out for their unyielding defensive resolve is Italy. The Azzurri’s 4-2 victory over Spain in the semi-finals was a testament to their unwavering commitment to defensive solidity, a quality that has been the hallmark of their campaign.
As the group stages got underway, Italy’s performances were announced with a resounding "oh, non è un problema" – "it’s no problem" in Italian – as they picked off the cream of opponents with ease. Their defending, built upon the bedrock of Gianluigi Donnarumma’s spectacular goalkeeping and a backline marshaled by Giorgio Chiellini, Alessandro Romagnoli, and Emerson Royal, proved almost impenetrable.
The statistics tell the story: Italy has now kept four consecutive clean sheets in the championship, the first team to do so in Euro 2020. Their average of 10.5 shots faced per game is the lowest in the tournament, and their 1.1 goals conceded per game is a mere 0.6 behind the average of the top-seven seeded teams at the start of the competition.
So, what lies behind this defensive mettle? For starters, Italy’s coaches, Roberto Mancini and his assistant, Gian Piero Gasperini, have instilled a culture of discipline and hard work in the team. Their emphasis on positioning, communication, and tactical discipline has created a cohesive unit that is greater than the sum of its parts.
The Azzurri’s backline, in particular, has been a haven of consistency, with Chiellini and Romagnoli providing the perfect blend of steel and guile. The former, with 100 caps to his name, is a wily veteran with a keen reader’s eye, while the latter, 22-year-old and already capped 40 times, is rapidly emerging as one of the most exciting young defenders in European football.
Emerson Royal, meanwhile, has slotted seamlessly into the left-back role, offering a sense of calm and composure that belies his tender years. In front of them, Juventus duo Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini provide a formidable axis, a partnership that has been capped and experienced over 100 times between them.
But it’s not just the back four that has been impervious to opposition attack. Mancini’s midfield quartet, comprising Jorginho, Nicolò Barella, Niccolò Zaniolo, and Manuel Lazzari, has garnered a reputation as one of the most industrious and street-smart in the tournament. Their box-to-box nature has given Italy’s attack an extra gear, allowing them to harry and press with the best of them.
Of course, there’s also been a role for goalkeeping sensation Gianluigi Donnarumma, who has made several crucial saves throughout the campaign to keep Italy within striking distance. The talented 23-year-old, on loan at Paris Saint-Germain from Juventus, has become an unexpected heroine for the Azzurri, having kept six clean sheets and saved crucially in several shootouts.
This Italian defense, built on a foundation of discipline, solidarity, and collective tenacity, has quashed the biggest of hopes – as Spain and Belgium, two of the pre-tournament favorites, can attest. The tournament’s top seeds have been put through a wringer by the resolute Italians, who’ve twice weathered Luka Modrić’s late, desperate legitimate attacks against Spain in this semi-final.
Team spirit has been a vital component in Italy’s success, as witnessed in the passionate displays of fans at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. For a side that has undergone significant changes since finishing second at the 2016 Euros, this tournament marks a return to prominence for Azzurri, whose last major triumph was in 1968.
As they prepare to face Spain or Germany in the Euro 2020 final, Italy can look back upon their Noisy Neutrals, proud of their defensive mettle. In reality, it’s not just their neutrals that have been the backbone of their journey; it’s their commitment to hard work, passion, and an unwavering belief in themselves. And, of course, an ability to shut the opposition out, often at both ends, which has been the hallmark of their campaign.
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) should be proud of what their side has achieved. For fans, in turn, there is every reason to believe that La Nazionale will bring another major trophy back to the Eternal City.
