#2. DefendersLeft Back- Mattia De Sciglio, Italy
The Milan full-back replaced Antonio Candreva on the left flank in Italy’s final group game against the Republic of Ireland and was given a place in the starting eleven in Italy’s crucial round of 16 match against Spain. The 23-year old played brilliantly on the left flank with his tireless runs down the flank creating a lot of chances for his teammates. His coordination with Giaccherini on the left side of the pitch added depth to the left flank.He spent most of the second half at the back but defended brilliantly, not allowing the Spanish forwards to score goals. De Sciglio was instrumental in Italy keeping a third clean sheet of the tournament and he has definitely cemented his place in the starting eleven. De Sciglio’s presence on the left flank will be a key factor when Italy face World Champions Germany in the quarter-finals.Centre Back- Giorgio Chiellini, Italy
Throughout the group stages, Chiellini formed a formidable partnership with fellow Juventus defenders Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci at central defence, not allowing the opposition to go forward. Chiellini put up a performance of the highest quality in Italy’s 2-0 win over Spain in the last 16.The Juventus centre-back put Italy in front when he hit on the rebound of Eder’s free-kick, scoring his seventh international goal and his first in a major competition. He was physically solid and composed at the back and never allowed the likes of Morata to cause too much trouble. His partnership with Barzagli and Bonucci dubbed as Italy’s BBC was instrumental in preventing the reigning champions from scoring. Chiellini’s marshalling of the Italian backline will be crucial in the quarter-finals against Germany.Centre Back- Jerome Boateng, Germany
Boateng had been one of Germany’s best players in the group stages and was the nucleus of a backline that hadn’t conceded a single goal in the first round. He continued his brilliant form in the competition and perhaps gave his best performance in the tournament so far in Germany’s 3-0 drubbing of Slovakia which took them to the quarter-finals. The Bayern Munich defender scored a thunderous volley from the clearance of a Toni Kroos corner kick to open the scoring for Germany and his first ever goal in national colours. Boateng was phenomenal at the back as he made a number of crucial tackles and interceptions to prevent the likes of Hamsik and Kucka from getting scoring opportunities. Apart from scoring the opener, he set up a number of attacks from the back and helped Germany keep their fourth consecutive clean sheet in the tournament. Boateng has so far arguably been the tournament’s best defender and his performances will be crucial as Germany face an Italian side in the quarter-finals who have been exceptional at the back throughout the tournament.Right Back- Birkir Saevarsson, Iceland
The 31-year old right-back who plies his trade at Swedish club Hammarby, had one of his most embarrassing moments during Iceland’s group game against Hungary where he scored a late own goal which tied the game. However, he put his memories against Hungary behind him as he put in a terrific performance at the back to help Iceland register a surprise 2-1 win over England to advance to the quarter-finals.Saevarsson was brilliant on the right flank and made a number of crucial tackles and interceptions throughout the entirety of the match to deny the likes of Kane and Vardy time and again. His composure in the back helped Iceland register the biggest win in their footballing history. Saevarsson’s performances will be required more than ever as Iceland now face a tougher task against France in the quarter-finals.
