Road to the Euro finals
Gli Azzuri navigated their qualification phase comfortably, finishing undefeated at the top of their group.
Norway were the first to fall, beaten by strikes from Zaza & Bonucci in Oslo. When Italy hosted Azerbaijan, the match finished 2-1 - with Chiellini scoring the most spectacular of hat-tricks. After opening the scoring and then equalizing with an own goal, he hit the winner 8 minutes from time to redeem himself superbly!
Graziano Pelle won the game for Italy as they edged Malta 1-0 away before they were held at the San Siro by Croatia’s Perisic (1-1). In the following game, Italy once again faced difficulties, as Eder salvaged a draw 6 minutes from time in Sofia, Bulgaria (2-2). Croatia were then pegged back at home (after drawing first blood) by a 36th minute Candreva penalty
When Malta came to Florence, Pelle proved as welcoming a host as he was a guest, again netting the winner. In one of his limited appearances under Conte, De Rossi scored a penalty and was sent off in their 1-0 defeat of Bulgaria.
Italy sealed their spot with a 2-1 victory over Norway in the final game. They scored 16 goals and conceded 9, drawing 3 and losing none as they won 7 matches.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths: Italy boasts one of the Euro’s (if not the planet’s) best backlines. The Juventus foursome won a domestic double this season - and a hat-trick of Scudettos with Conte. They’re intelligent, rough and very experienced.
Their forward line isn’t the most dashing but the youth and speed of Immobile and El Shaarawy are perfect complements to Pelle and Insigne’s goal-scoring roles.
Weaknesses: Injuries have robbed Italy of their first-choice midfielders and wing-backs, as Montolivo and Verrati will be unavailable. De Rossi will be ushered in but he’s been injured for some time now and their bench is vulnerable. Moreover, they have decent attackers but none of them are at their peaks, or even in hot form right now.
Our Prediction
The Italy squad has plenty of experience, but not much stardust. Antonio Conte is known as a bit of a pragmatist at times, and he won’t be shy to go play to their defensive strengths.
With Italy short of prolific attackers, they’ll look to keep things tight and make the most of set-pieces and counters. If Conte can devise a plan similar to the firm, incisive counter-offensive scheme that won them the 2016 World Cup, they may still threaten. Italy will most probably reach the semi-finals, and that’s only if they get a favourable draw.
Otherwise, the quarter-finals will most likely be where they end their campaign.
Upcoming Fixtures
7th June - Italy vs Finland (Friendly)
14th June - Italy vs Belgium (Euro 2016)
17th June - Italy vs Sweden (Euro 2016)
23nd June - Italy vs Republic of Ireland (Euro 2016)
