Euro 2020: How Italy’s focus on teamwork put them in the final

Italy defeated Spain on penalties to land in the Euro 2020 final. The secret to their success has been the focus on teamwork over individual stars. 

Italy midfielder Jorginho calmly lined up to take his penalty kick in the shootout against Spain in Tuesday’s semifinal that had ended 1-1 after extra time.

His low kick beat goalkeeper Unai Simon to his left for the 4-2 shootout win to send the Italians through to Sunday’s final at London’s Wembley Stadium, where they will play the winner of Wednesday’s England-Denmark game.

The 29-year-old Jorginho, who was born in Brazil and naturalized an Italian citizen by virtue of his great-grandfather being born there, was the hero against Spain.

Jorginho was the latest in a long line of heroes for Italy at these Euros. In fact, the team that has no star players, but is instead built around teamwork and cohesiveness. You’d be hard pressed to name one superstar. They don’t have, for example, a striker who bags most of the goals. The four-man defense doesn’t have one player who deserves accolades more than the others. Even midfielder Leonardo Spinazzola, who ruptured his Achillles tendon against Belgium in the quarterfinals and is out for the rest of the tournament, could be replaced.

“This group is amazing,” Italy manager Roberto Mancini told reporters after the game. “Everyone wants to win, but this group of players wanted to do something special.”

That something special has come in the form of a 33-game unbeaten streak and the chance to play in their fourth European Championship final. After capturing the World Cup four times, the Azzurri will look to win the Euros for a second time after their triumph in 1968.

Mancini has spent most of his time as Italy manager trying to create a strong work ethic and build team unity after the disaster of not qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Over the last three years, he’s done a great job melding personalities and shunning aside the egos that come with a roster loaded with club players.

“We’re delighted we could provide this wonderful entertainment to the Italian people,” Mancini said. “One game to go.”

Building a national team around one star striker can be tricky. Belgium did that with Romelu Lukaku, only for them to crash out in the quarterfinals against Italy. Portugal did the same with Cristiano Ronaldo, only to be eliminated even sooner in the Round of 16 versus Belgium. On the other hand, nations that relied primarily on teamwork, like Denmark, Switzerland and Czech Republic, got far at this tournament.

The Italians play an attack-minded 4-3-3 system, meaning that they use three strikers in the starting lineup. Mancinii had initially gone with Ciro Immobile up front, flanked by Lorenzo Insigne and Domenico Berardi. After Federico Chiesa emerged as the hero by scoring the winning goal in a 2-1 extra time win against Austria in the Round of 16, he became the starter over Berardi.

The beauty of this Italy side is that the parts are interchangeable, the bench deep and the egos non-existent. Berardi took his spot on the bench and didn’t complain. Even the Italian press, not shy about creating controversy, hasn’t done so at this tournament. Mancini’s demeanor, winning ways and emphasis on teamwork has won even the most cynical of Italian sports journalists.

Italy is one step away from the trophy. This is a team that has given off the aura of being a championship side since the start of this competition. The aim now is to finish the job and hope that a team effort can help crown them European champions.

Who will be the hero for Italy in the final? Mancini knows it could be anyone on the team.