Northern Ireland v Italy (15/11/2021)

LA DOLCE VITA (THE SWEET LIFE) Italy’s success at the delayed UEFA Euro 2020 capped a remarkable recent turnaround in fortunes for the Azzurri, writes Andy Greeves. As referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz blew the final whistle at the San Siro on 13 November 2017, Italy’s players dropped to their knees. The Azzurri’s goalless draw against Sweden, following a 1-0 loss in Solna three days earlier, meant they missed out on qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup by virtue of a 1-0 aggregate play-off defeat . It was the first time the four- time world champions had been absent from the tournament since 1958. Unsurprisingly Gianpiero Ventura was dismissed from his role as head coach just two days later, despite boasting a 56.25% win rate during his time as Azzurri boss, which compares favourably to such managerial legends as Marcello Lippi, Giovanni Trapattoni and Antonio Conte. Statistics can be deceiving and many observers point to high profile gaffes made by Ventura during his reign, such as the decision to select a 4-2-4 formation against ultra-footballing side Spain in September 2017 that resulted in a 3-0 defeat for Italy. That same year the Azzurri dropped as low as 17th in the FIFA World Rankings having been fourth just four years earlier. The 2010-2019 period was a tumultuous decade for Italy as a whole. While they finished runners- up at UEFA Euro 2012, failure to make it to the 2018 FIFA World Cup tournament , coupled with humiliating group stage exits at the 2010 and 2014 finals made it a 10-year period to largely forget by Italy’s high standards. A particular mystery of the Ventura era was why a talented group of players in great form with their club teams couldn’t reproduce such high level performances for their country.

Roberto Mancini made an indifferent start as Italy boss, having taken over from caretaker Luigi Di Biagio in May 2018. One win in six, with the solitary victory coming in a friendly against Saudi Arabia, was hardly inspiring stuff. But a tactical evolution that saw the former Manchester City manager adopt a 4-3-3 formation – doing away with Ventura’s over-selection of holding midfielders and cautious full-backs – would pay dividends. A 1-1 draw with Ukraine in October 2018 was to be the start of a world record 37-game unbeaten run which finally came to an end when Roberto Mancini’s team lost 2-1 to Spain in the UEFA Nations League semi-final in Milan last month. During this period the Azzurri made it to the 2021 UEFA Nations League Finals and, most significantly, won the delayed UEFA Euro 2020 tournament . Their 3-0 victory over Turkey in their opening UEFA Euro 2020 match rubber-stamped many people’s opinions that Italy were tournament favourites - thanks to their domination of possession and creation of chances. Italy’s 3-0 win over Switzerland and 1-0 triumph over Wales saw them top Group A seemingly without having broken sweat . They had a tough test against plucky Austria but came through 2-1 after extra-time in the round of 16 while they beat the hotly-fancied Belgium and Spain to reach the final . Although Luke Shaw gave England a second minute lead in that Wembley Stadium showpiece on 11 July this year, the more the match went on, the more Italy looked the likelier of the two teams to go on and lift the trophy. A second half strike from Leonardo Bonucci forced extra time and the Azzurri ultimately came through to win 3-2 on penalties. If, as expected, Italy qualify for their 19th FIFA World Cup, either this evening or in March next year, it will take a brave person to bet against the European champions going on to be world champions for a fifth time in Qatar next winter.

IRISHFA.COM

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