Mancini excludes that the excess of confidence could lead the Azzurri to underestimate the Austrians, one of the most insidious traps for a national team that not only came out of its group with full points, but that is unbeaten in thirty games and in the last eleven always won without collecting goals. In addition to numbers, it also counts how Italy sets itself up: combining play and entertainment with the cohesion of a synchronized group in friendship and interchangeability. We were the Italy of the counterattack, the one that wins, if it wins, with the least effort and with a short arm. Always ready to fold at the slightest danger. The British tabloids called us the “waiters”. Now they suddenly look at us with respect.
Maturity test
A maturity and an awareness that have placed Italy at the center of the scene. Starting as the national team that had to erase the shame for exclusion from the world cup, we arrived in London as probable candidates for the final victory. With Austria, bookmakers certainly give us winners. And even among the Italians living in London there is an atmosphere of enthusiasm and security.
But Italy must be careful. Not so much to Austria which is a good team (they all play in the Bundesliga) as to remain itself. There is in the air, after the sadness of the pandemic, a desire for happiness that threatens to infect the national team as well. The desire for magical nights is legitimate, but the history of football is full of bad awakenings. And when Mancini warns that another European has now begun, he says so because he knows that anything can happen in a one-off match, beyond the technical depth of the opponent. France and Germany risked losing to Hungary, let’s not forget that. It is true that Austria has not beaten us for 60 years, but the Austrians are not the latest arrivals: they run, press, recover the ball high. In a way, they have a fairly similar game to ours, albeit with a lower technical rate. Then they have a coach of Italian origin, Franco Foda, who knows us very well. And he will do everything to put a spoke in the wheel.
Another element to let go is that of victimhood. Old Italian vice always ready to reappear like a weed. There are some signs. First the issue of the Wembley field denied for training for the lawn issue, then the tensions between Mario Draghi and Boris Johnson after our premier proposed to move the final from London due to the dangers of covid. Now someone points out that the Italy-Austria referee, Anthony Taylor, is an Englishman. And that the last time he directed us (with the Netherlands) we collected a goal. Well, this Italy, which plays and has fun, must not care about these conspiracies from the old regime. But playing as he knows how to do, leaving behind even the usual clichés. If he succeeds in doing it, this too will be a great revolution.
Blues all on their feet or all on their knees?
Until the end, it will not be known what the Azzurri will do. That is, if they kneel before the kick-off as a sign of solidarity with the “Black Lives Matter” movement against racial discrimination. The issue is a thorny one, for obvious reasons. Before the match against Wales, five Azzurri did it, while the others remained standing. A behavior in no particular order that has aroused much controversy. Either all or none said Bonucci in the last meeting with the press. “We haven’t talked about it yet. If we decide yes, we will make the request to UEFA ”, explained the blue captain. “We are all against racism, if everyone has the desire and the idea to make a gesture against racism, the federation will tell UEFA”. Mancini is also a possibility: “I am for freedom” said the blue coach, marrying the line of the Federation and many players. In short, a few hours after the match, uncertainty still reigns. It is not a good sign, considering instead that the captain of Austria and his companions (“it is a signal to attract attention”) will kneel.