EMOTIONAL RETURN FOR ITALY HEROES

ITALY’S European champions were given a hero’s welcome as the trophy came Rome yesterday – and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was hailed as the “hypnotising” star.

Roberto Mancini’s squad took an early flight to the Italian capital yesterday (above) to be greeted by Italy’s president Sergio Mattarella and PM Mario Draghi.

The jubilant mood of the nation was captured by the Italian media, who combined praise for the best team in the competition with mocking of England.

Gazzetta dello Sport said: “Yes, the cup is coming home! Our home”, before adding: “The Three Lions were tamed, we turned them into puppies”.

Italy scored 13 goals at Euro 2020 – the most ever by them in a major tournament – and extended their unbeaten run to 34 games.

And Donnarumma played the key role as Italy won shootouts in the semis and final. Il Messaggero called the 22-year-old goalkeeper’s performance “hypnotising”.

Italy had not conceded a goal for 989 minutes before Austria scored in the last 16, earning the ex-milan keeper comparisons with 1982 captain Dino Zoff. And skipper Giorgio Chiellini (inset) called him the heir to Italy’s 2006 goalkeeping hero.

“I was lucky to play with Gianluigi Buffon, now I play with Donnarumma and it’s the same,” he said. “We felt something magical in the air.”

Chiellini then posted an emotional message on Instagram to Italian fans who had suffered during the last 18 months of restrictions.

“You were in front of our eyes and inside our hearts,” Chiellini, 36, wrote. “The pain of those who suffered, the fatigue of those who were brought to their knees by the pandemic. The desire to return to life.

“The faces of women, men, old people, young people, children and those who saved our lives: the doctors. You pushed us, you helped us, you sang with us.

“The result is only a part of the game but this result, this victory, these tears of joy are dedicated to you.”