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This summer's Euro 2020 Championship, much like Copa America 2021, was a tournament that was defined by defensive solidity, rigidity, and tactical discipline. Despite providing fans with a number of thrilling matches and shocking upsets, the teams that had impenetrable defenses were the ones that eventually delivered at Euro 2020.
Euro 2020 finalists England and Italy possess some of the most impressive back-lines in world football at the moment. England conceded just two goals throughout the course of Euro 2020, whereas Italy conceded only four times.
Defenders are often asked to play the entire 90 minutes during football games without being substituted, as managers prefer to swap their attackers. At international tournaments, defenders sometimes also have to play 30 minutes of extra time.
As a result, defenders have to maintain unbelievable levels of focus throughout the game with the knowledge that one mistake could lead to their nation getting knocked out of the tournament. It is therefore defenders who receive most of the plaudits when their nations are victorious at international tournaments. Fabio Cannavaro won the Ballon d'Or in 2006, the same year that Italy won the World Cup.
Euro 2020: The 5 best defenders of the tournament
#5 Kyle Walker, England
Kyle Walker was immense for England at Euro 2020. The Manchester City full-back began the tournament as a right centre-back in a back three, but was also deployed as a right wing-back on occasion by Gareth Southgate.
The 31-year-old has arguably been one of the best right-backs in the Premier League over the years, but is often underrated by fans and pundits. His pace, physicality and ability to carry the ball forward make him one of the best modern full-backs in the world.
Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, while speaking to talkSport, said:
'My player of the tournament was Kyle Walker. I think Kyle Walker was phenomenal. From the first minute of the competition until the moment he came off in the final he was phenomenal. He was giving covers to centre-backs on the opposite side, I don't remember him losing one single duel."
'But when I call a player an animal, it's the best compliment I can give to a player. Kyle Walker - absolute animal. For me, phenomenal, during the first to the last minute," Mourinho added.
#4 Aymeric Laporte, Spain
It is baffling to think that a defender of Aymeric Laporte's quality never made an appearance for the French national team. The Manchester City star has been one of the most impressive centre-backs in the Premier League in recent years.
Despite playing 51 times for France at youth level, Laporte changed his nationality to Spain before Euro 2020, a process that was approved by FIFA. Laporte put in a number of incredible displays for Spain as he helped Luis Enrique's side reach the semi-finals of Euro 2020, where they lost on penalties to eventual champions Italy.
Aymeric Laporte will have guaranteed himself a place in Spain's squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar if Luis Enrique's side qualify.
#3 Leonardo Spinazzola, Italy
The AS Roma left-back was one of the breakout stars of Euro 2020. Leonardo Spinazzola's speed and tactical discipline allowed him to provide cover for the older and less agile Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini.
Spinazzola won the Man of the Match award in Italy's 3-0 victory over Turkey in their opening game of Euro 2020. He also won the Man of the Match award in Italy's 2-1 victory over Austria in the round of 16.
Spinazzola was one of Italy's standout players at Euro 2020, and provided two assists before he was forced off with a ruptured Achilles tendon in Italy's 2-1 victory over Belgium in the quarter-finals.
Spinazzola's long-term injury layoff is likely to prevent him from joining one of Europe's top clubs this summer, but his performances for Italy are bound to have caught the eye of a number of elite teams.
#2 Harry Maguire, England
Harry Maguire's performances at Euro 2020 for England were nothing short of sensational. The Manchester United captain was a rock for Gareth Southgate's side throughout the course of the tournament and could hardly put a foot wrong.
Harry Maguire helped England keep five clean sheets during Euro 2020. The Three Lions conceded just two goals this summer. The 28-year-old was also one of two players to score their penalties in England's shootout defeat to Italy in the final of Euro 2020.
Harry Maguire has proved to be the leader that England's defense desperately needed. It will be interesting to see if he can reproduce his performances from Euro 2020 at club level for Manchester United next season.
#1 Leonardo Bonucci, Italy
A member of one of the most impressive centre-back pairings the world of football has ever seen, Leonardo Bonucci was incredible for Italy at an international tournament yet again. Italy have not lost a game that Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini have played in together at centre-back since 2015.
The 34-year-old seems to age like fine wine. Despite enduring a poor season with Juventus, Leonardo Bonucci was talismanic for Italy. He put in a Man of the Match worthy performance in the final of Euro 2020 against England and slotted away his spot kick in the penalty shootout.
Leonardo Bonucci deserves to be compared to the likes of Fabio Cannavaro, Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Nesta as one of the best defenders Italy has ever produced.
