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THE ITALIAN JOB

By Pranav Venkatesh

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Updated on:
54
ITALY FINAL

Italy returned to the biggest of stages in style. After missing out on the 2018 World Cup they had to make a statement at the Euro. Roberto Mancini has turned his Italian side into a well-oiled machine that keeps on winning. Having qualified for the knockouts, Italy might be eyeing a run to the final and lift the trophy.

Mancini’s Italy have entered the tournament as favorites. All of their group stage games stand as a solid testimonial to that. They dispatched a toothless turkey side in their opener. The Azzuri followed it up with another glittering game against Switzerland. They sealed the top spot in the group and heavily rotated for their final game. A changed Italian squad saw off Wales comfortably. This indicates the bench strength of the Italians.

The Italians are believing now and plan a deep run into the competition. We trace Italy and their path to the final and leave it for you to decide whether the Azzurri can emulate the heroes of 1968.

ROUND OF 16

AUSTRIA

This is one of the few fixed knockout games we know thus far. Italy knew they were in a winnable group and a top spot could guarantee them an easy opening knockout fixture. A meeting with the runner-ups of Group-C was on offer. Austria as expected finished second behind the Netherlands in the group and set up a date with Italy.

David Alaba is the star man for Austria. The new Real Madrid player is leading his side from the front and has done well personally in the games. His Austrian side can test Italy on the breaks. The aging Italian defence needs to be quick and compact to win this fixture.

We expect Italy to comfortably negate the Austrian threat and progress to the quarters.

QUARTER-FINALS

BELGIUM/PORTUGAL/GERMANY/FRANCE/SWEDEN/SWITZERLAND

The real road to the finals begins from the quarters. Hot favorites Belgium are waiting to discover the opponent. As the winners of Group-B, they get to face the lucky losers of Group- A/E/F. This is where things spice up. A strong Group-F can see any one of France, Portugal, or Germany as the lucky losers. Chances are they might edge past the others and get to meet Belgium.

The winner of the clash between Belgium and the lucky loser face Italy in the quarters. The quarters might be a direct shootout between two top contenders for the title. If Italy can manage to scrape through the quarters, their credentials would be boosted significantly.

SEMI-FINALS

FRANCE/ THE CZECH REPUBLIC / SWEDEN

Semis might provide a sigh of relief if Italy manages to overpower their opponents in the quarters. Assuming France manages to top their Group-F, they might face one of Sweden or the Czech Republic in their quarter-final clash.

France for all their star power are playing conservatively. This might suit Italy and Roberto Mancini can mastermind a heist against the World champions. Besides the emotions would be running high as they lock horns with their epic rivals. This game would have mouth-watering matchups like Karim Benzema versus Giorgio Chiellini, Ciro Immobile vs Raphael Varane etc.

FINALS

ENGLAND/NETHERLANDS/ SPAIN/GERMANY/PORTUGAL

Again this side of the table might be filled with sheer unpredictability. Assuming France finishes their Group-F on top and they go up against Italy, we have a myriad of possibilities. The group runners up and the third-placed side go on to meet England and the Netherlands respectively. This again sets up a chain reaction of one heavyweight clash after the other.

Finally one of England, Netherlands, Spain, Germany, or Portugal might be facing Italy in the final. An epic clash could be on the cards at Wembley on the 12th of July. Can the Azzuri muster strength and courage to do their old heroes proud and lift the famous trophy?

Pranav Venkatesh

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