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With one European Championship and four World Cups in their trophy cabinet, Italy are one of the most successful football teams in Europe. The Azzurri have fielded some legendary teams in the past and will look to invoke their former glory as they take on their European neighbours at Euro 2020 this summer.
Italy have largely flattered to deceive on the international stage since their incredible World Cup victory in 2006. The Mediterranean giants reached the final of Euro 2012 but were humbled by arguably one of the best Spanish outfits in the history of the tournament.
Italy have a point to prove at Euro 2020
After well over a decade of underachievement, Italy have managed to put together a well-drilled and balanced squad under Roberto Mancini this season. The Azzurri have exceptional attacking talent in their ranks and their seasoned defence and fluid midfield could potentially pull off a surprise at the Euros this year.
Italy have not lifted the European Championship in over 50 years and will need to draw inspiration from the heroes and legends of 1968. With Roberto Mancini at the helm, however, the European heavyweights have been given a new lease of life and have come of age as a unit.
Italy's squad selection for Euro 2020 has generated plenty of debate and discussion and Mancini has several options at his disposal for every footballing role. We take a look at Italy's strongest possible starting eleven going into this tournament.
Goalkeeper - Gianluigi Donnarumma
While Salvatore Sirigu and Alex Meret are impeccable shot-stoppers in their own right, Gianluigi Donnarumma remains Italy's best bet between the sticks on the big stage. The AC Milan goalkeeper has earned the trust of Roberto Mancini after a series of impressive performances for both club and country and is arguably Italy's best goalkeeper.
Donnarumma's otherworldly reflexes and omniscience make him a near-impregnable wall in Italy's goal. The 22-year-old goalkeeper has already matured into a leader for the Azzurri and will play a crucial role as Italy look to end their trophy drought.
With several big clubs linked to Donnarumma's signature this month, Roberto Mancini will have to ensure that his prodigious shot-stopper is focussed on the task at hand. Italy are dark horses to an extent at Euro 2020 and will need the Rossoneri star to be at his best in the coming weeks.
Also Read: La Liga team of the season (2020/21)
Left-Back - Leonardo Spinazzola
Italy are largely well-stocked in most areas of the football pitch but do have their issues with full-backs. Leonardo Spinazzola does have what it takes to live up to expectations with the Azzurri but a lack of competition will put the onus entirely on him ahead of Euro 2020.
Leonardo Spinazzola is a dangerous left-back in his prime and can be a handful in the final third. The Italy defender may not have had the best of seasons with AS Roma but has the ability to be a game-changer in his own right.
With Italy's dominant centre-backs available for defensive cover, Leonardo Spinazzola will have to bring his formidable dribbling prowess to the fore for Italy. Mancini has placed his faith in the left-back during his time with Italy and will want Spinazzola to take it up a notch at Euro 2020.
Centre-Back - Giorgio Chiellini
Italy have historically relied on a fabled old guard to do the heavy lifting for them in some of the biggest competitions in the world. With Euro 2020 looming on the horizon, the Azzurri are set to give Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini a leading role in their defence this month.
Chiellini is a seasoned campaigner and has done hard yards against some of the best players in the history of the game. The Bianconeri veteran makes Italy's defence virtually impregnable at his best and has been pivotal to the team's successes for well over a decade.
The Azzurri have relied heavily on experienced defenders in the past and Chiellini will have his work cut out for him at Euro 2020. The veteran centre-back is accustomed to being in the defensive spotlight, however, and will be intent on proving that age is just a number.
Centre-Back - Leonardo Bonucci
Leonardo Bonucci faces plenty of competition from Francesco Acerbi and Alessandro Bastoni at the heart of Italy's defence but his impeccable relationship with fellow senior statesman Giorgio Chiellini is likely to win him the spot.
Bonucci's composure often serves as the ideal foil to Chiellini's tenacity and his proactive approach to defending often makes Italy an excellent defensive unit. The 34-year-old centre-back is also adept with his long balls and will play an important role in Italy's passing game.
The Juventus defender has had his troubles this season but is usually his best self alongside Giorgio Chiellini. A strong centre-back partnership has always been a hallmark of the great Italian teams of the past and Roberto Mancini will remain secure in the knowledge that his team can rely on a seasoned and formidable defence.
Right-Back - Alessandro Florenzi
After a Serie A stint that started with a flurry of rave reviews, Alessandro Florenzi has ventured a fair distance away from the limelight at Paris Saint-Germain. While the headlines usually feature his more illustrious teammates, Florenzi's value to Roberto Mancini's Italy cannot be underestimated.
Alessandro Florenzi is perfectly capable of playing the role of the adventurous full-back and can be an asset to the Azzurri. The former AS Roma defender has scored some excellent goals over the years and may well pull a few rabbits out of his hat this summer.
The Italian right-back will face competition from Napoli defender Giovanni Di Lorenzo and cannot afford to put a foot wrong at Euro 2020. Alessandro Florenzi has plenty of experience on the big stage and will play a pivotal role in the Azzurri's fortunes.
Defensive Midfield - Manuel Locatelli
Italy have built a formidable midfield unit under Roberto Mancini and Manuel Locatelli is the latest in a historic line of midfield gems to have played for the Azzurri. Locatelli has been exceptional for Sassuolo this season and will play a pivotal role in Italy's Euro fortunes.
The Neroverdi midfielder has a unique set of skills and his ability to complete long passes and take successful long-distance shots makes him a force to be reckoned with. Locatelli has attracted attention from some of Europe's biggest clubs in recent months and is one of Italy's most promising midfielders.
Locatelli was at his best in Italy's 4-0 victory against Czech Republic and is set to remain a fixture in the team. The Sassuolo star has a few aces up his sleeve and will want to make an indelible impact at Euro 2020.
Central Midfield - Jorginho
Most European teams have grown reliant on accurate passers of the ball over the past decade and Jorginho is as metronomic as they come. The Azzurri midfielder won the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea last month and will look to add another piece of glittering silverware to his trophy cabinet this summer.
The Chelsea midfielder has shown tremendous improvement under Thomas Tuchel this season and adds a discernible measure of stability to Mancini's side. The former Manchester City manager has trusted his midfield general on several occasions in the past and will likely rely heavily on Jorginho to recycle possession at Euro 2020.
Jorginho has also become Chelsea's penalty specialist this season and has an excellent record from the spot. The Blues' technician is arguably in the form of his life and remains an important player for Italy.
Attacking Midfield - Nicolo Barella
Antonio Conte is known for his penchant for player development but the Italian manager seems to have outdone himself with Nicolo Barella. The Italian youngster has taken massive strides this season and could become one of Italy's most important players at Euro 2020.
Inter Milan have primarily employed a 3-5-2 formation this season and Nicolo Barella has been its beating heart. The 24-year-old midfielder has bagged seven assists in the Serie A and has become accustomed to functioning as his team's creative fulcrum.
With Jorginho and Locatelli behind him, Nicolo Barella has the freedom to express himself with Italy and will play a crucial role in his side's attacking transitions. Barella is a treat to watch on his day and his link-up play with the likes of Insigne and Immobile will be key to Italy's Euro fortunes.
Also Read: Serie A 2020/21: Top 10 players this season according to ratings
Right-Wing - Federico Chiesa
In what has been a fairly difficult year for Juventus, Italy forward Federico Chiesa has been something of a sensation. The Bianconeri man has truly come of age this season and has become one of the most versatile forwards in the Serie A.
In addition to chipping in with goals and assists in the most important matches of the season, Federico Chiesa's versatility has become a pertinent feature of the game. The 23-year-old talent has worked on his defensive responsibilities this season and has also played as a wing-back on a few occasions.
Italy have a wealth of attacking options going into Euro 2020 and Chiesa will face intense competition from the likes of Domenico Berardi and Andrea Belotti. With 15 goals and 10 assists in all competitions this season, however, Federico Chiesa is set to remain a fixture in Italy's three-pronged attack.
Left-Wing - Lorenzo Insigne
Italy have always had an enigmatic and effervescent maestro in their forward line and Napoli man Lorenzo Insigne has stepped up as this generation's creator-in-chief. Insigne has enjoyed an exceptional season with Gennaro Gattuso's side and will be crucial to Italy's chances at Euro 2020.
Lorenzo Insigne pioneered Napoli's Serie A campaign this season and found the back of the net on a total of seven occasions. The Azzurri striker adopted a creative role and also managed seven league assists in what was an impressive league campaign.
While Italy have a fair share of prolific goalscorers, Insigne offers a unique blend of creative poise and flair in the final third and is an irreplaceable asset for the Azzurri.
Striker - Ciro Immobile
Ciro Immobile has transformed into one of the world's best strikers under Simone Inzaghi at Lazio. The former Borussia Dortmund forward has come of age in the Serie A and could etch his name into Italy's footballing campaign with a fruitful Euro campaign this summer.
With 20 goals and six assists in the Serie A, Ciro Immobile has reaffirmed his credentials as a prolific goalscorer this season. The 31-year-old striker is a lethal poacher in the penalty area and will look to make the most of Italy's formidable creative forces.
Robert Mancini has placed immense faith in Immobile during his tenure and will hope to get the best out of his talented striker in the competition. Ciro Immobile can singlehandedly win games for Italy and will have to be at his best as the Azzurri look to win their first European Championship in over 50 years.
Also Read: Euro 2020: Greatest Spain XI of all time
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