On closer inspection, this light-heartedness is the figure of Italy. An almost exceptional fact if you think back to other expeditions, not so far away, which for a wrong change were overwhelmed by lacerating cracks. In this sense, beyond how it will end with Belgium, it is an Italy that amazes. Because in addition to having a fun and unscrupulous game, always led to enhance one’s qualities (speed, agility, high pressing), it is an Italy built on a very simple idea: if you are comfortable together, if we give each other a hand, in the end it is better for everyone.
Two pillars, therefore: play and group, group and play. It seems trivial, but in reality it is a real revolution especially in a football that is increasingly stressed and aimed at the result. Even on the possible forfeits of the two Belgian aces, Mancini is short: «We will play our game anyway. Belgium is one of the best teams in the world. The important thing is that Italy plays as it knows how to do ». This is the point. May Italy play well. Possibly as he did in the first half overtime with Austria or in the three previous matches. Clearly, if Belgium miss Hazard and De Bruyne, things will get easier. The City midfielder is an exceptional talent. Extraordinary in midfield and also in the last pass. For Lukaku, his terminator, having or not having an inventor like De Bruyne behind him is not indifferent. The same goes for Hazard, more in doubt than his partner because he is suffering from a muscular resentment from which he does not recover in four to five days.
The secret of interchangeability
Returning to Italy, Mancini should confirm almost all the owners of the match with Austria. Even if in the second half our midfield went into trouble before being “saved” by the rescue of the bench. There are only two doubts left: Chiellini and Chiesa. For the rest, Mancini’s idea is to continue to trust those players (Jorginho, Verratti Barella) who have contributed most to building the physiognomy of Italy. And who are more able to put the Belgian midfield in difficulty, very strong physically, but not very agile. Mancini’s other idea is to continue with Interchangeability, which is the keystone of almost all of our successes. Entering Chiesa in the middle of the game is like pulling out a can opener. But the Juventus player is so fit that he could start immediately in Berardi’s place.
Even in defense Belgium is granite. With a line of three brushes that if you don’t jump over them in agility it’s over. All three are quite elderly and with many kilometers behind them. In short, they can be drilled. Immobile and Insigne are perfect for this task. But being able to count on a good bench is an extra weapon, especially in this European Championship where matches almost always unlock in the second half. But Italy has a problem: it scores little compared to what it builds. We waste a lot. The Azzurri scored 9 goals against 8 of the Belgians. But they, especially with Lukaku, are almost never wrong. So there are two cases: either we don’t score them, or we learn to be more cynical. Mancini’s other doubt concerns Chellini. After 16 days from the injury, the Juventus defender is ready. His mission is to stop Lukaku. To block the Belgian, a motorized wardrobe, you need not only a beastly physique, but also to have recovered, to feel good. However Acerbi has never disappointed so far.
Kneel down? Italy follows the thinking of others
Finally we close with the usual question of kneeling yes, kneeling no. Italy for this match will kneel in solidarity with the Belgian players but without sharing the protest. There was a position taken by the Assocalciatori who “stigmatized the instrumental and defamatory campaign against the Italian national team”, recalling that all the Azzurri have always been protagonists of numerous initiatives against racism. However, a clarification must be made: no one accuses the Azzurri of racism, God forbid. But this constant push and pull is not good for anyone. Much less the image of Italy. Why do we have to go towing other nations to decide whether to kneel or not? Don’t we have our own thoughts? Not choosing is almost worse. We know how to impose our game, but not make our thoughts heard. Sin. It is time to fill this gap too.