Vibrant Italy look ominous
Italy, the most vibrant nation at Euro 2020, whether singing their national anthem, celebrating goals or chest-bumping over blocks and tackles, have made it to the semifinals, and it will take some effort to stop them going all the way.
In a memorable evening in Munich, the No 1 team in the world, Belgium, could not halt them despite the efforts of Kevin de Bruyne, and while it may not be the end for him, just after his 30th birthday, this could be a final hurrah for many of his country’s socalled Golden Generation.
It may be the end also for manager Roberto Martinez, who appears set to leave after this tournament, with Italy to face Spain in the last four at Wembley on Wednesday.
For Italy manager Roberto Mancini, it is an astonishing 32 games unbeaten and 13 consecutive wins — five in these finals — and almost as remarkable is the energy and relentless commitment he is summoning from his squad. And this from a country that did not even qualify for the 2018 World Cup and who were at their lowest ebb when he took over.
As unforgettable as Italy’s goals was the sight of Giorgio Chiellini grabbing Leonardo Spinazzola in celebration after the left back had blocked a goal-bound effort from Romelu Lukaku which would have drawn Belgium level. The one setback was the loss of Spinazzola, one of the players of these finals, who left the pitch on a stretcher. There were fears he had ruptured his Achilles tendon.
Belgium will rue their luck, Eden Hazard’s lack of fitness and that De Bruyne was struggling with injuries but ultimately they were victims of their own downfall. In the match-up of the thirty-something defenders, it was advantage Italy and that was summed up by their opening goal.
It also highlighted something that grates a little with the Italians — their gamesmanship. Maybe that is what it takes to win but it sticks in the craw, as did the reaction of Ciro Immobile after his side scored. The striker had challenged for the ball with Thomas Vermaelen and stayed down, trying to claim a penalty, much to the Belgian’s anger, but sprang up as Nicola Barella’s shot hit the net.
The match fizzed and crackled as only a heavyweight encounter can, and Italy doubled their lead when Lorenzo Insigne left Youri Tielemans trailing, before running at Jan Vertonghen and Vermaelen.
They backed off and Insigne accepted the opportunity to arc a wonderful right-footed shot around them and beyond Thibaut Courtois’ grasp. Martinez looked stunned.
The 19-year-old phenom Jeremy Doku dragged Belgium back into it, winning a penalty as Giovanni Di Lorenzo bundled the winger over as he ran past him. Lukaku hammered the ball down the centre of goal as Gianluigi Donnarumma dived to his left. The goal would be Lukaku’s fourth and last of the finals.
It became increasingly frantic and, as Italy finally decided to defend deeper and hold on, the Belgians went for it. There were collisions, bodies on the turf, time-wasting, injuries feigned but Doku picked himself through the melee to shoot just over. It was as close as Belgium got.
“What distinguishes us from the other teams is we sacrifice ourselves for each other,” Insigne said.
On a breathless night, he was right.