Ballottaggio Chiesa-Berardi and doubt about the number 9: otherwise clear ideas on the formation for the match in Rome
Ten days and Rome will live its magical night. On 11 June, under the gaze of just under sixteen thousand spectators, Roberto Mancini’s blues will baptize Euro 2020 one year late due to the pandemic. First match of Italy and first match of the traveling event, an absolute novelty and that will not be repeated: Turkey’s opponent, very lively in the process of qualifying and one of the possible surprises of the European Championships.
These will be the hours of the great maneuvers at the Azzurri’s home with the friendly test in Bologna, Friday against the Czech Republic, as general rehearsals one week from the start. The coach Mancini, in fact, has in mind the version of Italy, in his eyes, more accredited to play, right from the start, the first possible special effects.
In goal, the hierarchies are defined. And not from today: the very titular is Donnarumma, behind him the Sirigu grenade and, then, the Neapolitan Meret who won the ballot with the number one of Cagliari Cragno. In defense, we will start from the central pair of senators, and Italian centenarians, Chiellini and Bonucci, while on the outside lanes Florenzi on the right and Spinazzola plus Emerson on the left will complete the sector.
If the ball falls in the middle of the field, the direction will be that of the European champion with Chelsea Jorginho: on his sides, Barella on the right and Locatelli on the left waiting to see Verratti again forced to recover from the knee problem. In attack, the race to number nine seems to see Immobile slightly favored over his friend Belotti, at least for the match with Turkey: as a left winger, Insigne’s candidacy appears indisputable, as a right winger Chiesa and Berardi will play for the place up to last finishing workout.
At the start of the European Championships there are ten days to go, but, in fact, anti-Turkey Italy is already designed: Mancini will give space and confidence to those who have satisfied him most during his journey that began in May 2018. Turkey on the 11th, Switzerland on the 16th and Wales four days later: the first two of each group plus the best thirds pass in the round of 16. “We are not starting from pole, but it doesn’t scare us: we are ready to give the Italians an intense and fun month …”, repeats our coach. –