It seems like 'Football is coming home'
(Baonghean.vn) - With all the right conditions, it seemed like the British could have sung the song “Football's coming home” at Wembley Stadium. But fate turned its back on them.
After a penalty in the 103rd minute, coming from behind to beat Denmark in the semi-finals, the English had the right to think about winning the Euro 2020 championship. Especially when they scored an early goal in the final whenGareth Southgate took a risk by using the 3-4-3 formation that had won against Germany to face the Azzurri.
The song rings out...
With home advantage, Gareth Southgate decided to switch to a 3-4-3 formation with the determination to win the match in 120 minutes, or even just 90 minutes. As the man responsible for missing the penalty that led to England losing to Germany in the Euro 1996 semi-finals, coach Gareth Southgate did not want to repeat that again.
The English soon had joy when left-back L.Shaws scored an early goal.Italian team.Playing with three centre-backs and two wingers, Trippier and Luke Shaw, has been a great asset both offensively and defensively. The English fans have been singing “Football's coming home” throughout the stadium.
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| “Never underestimate the Italians.” Photo: Sky |
But things changed when coach Macini brought Bryan Cristante and Domenico Berardi on to replace Nicolò Barella and Immobile to establish a new game. In addition, Jorginho and the Italian players continuously used tricks to prevent young players Grealish, Bukayo Saka, Sterling or Jadon Sancho from having sublime emotions. A stubborn Italian team knew how to come back.
The Azzurri players had 66% possession, but committed 21 fouls, while the English team only committed 13. The English are famous for playing high balls, but conceding a goal from a corner kick showed the Italians' mettle. From being behind, the Italians quickly turned the game around, taking 19 shots, 6 on target (England only had 6 and 2).
Coach Macini stuck to the 4-2-3-1 formation, with 6 changes, 5 of which were in attack, with Jorginho being the only name retained. Meanwhile, out of 4 substitutions by coach Gareth Southgate, Rashford, Sancho, and Saka all missed penalties. This is where Macini's skill is rated higher than his counterpart on the home side.
...suddenly interrupted
The Azzurri are the only team to have won all their matches, currently on a 34-match unbeaten streak. They have demonstrated an attractive ball control style of play, 4.0 pressing, while also inheriting the organization and defensive art that are typical of Italian football.
It is undeniable that the Three Lions under coach Gareth Southgate have many good players in all positions and are always ready to explode at any time. But they are unlucky when on the other side they have 22-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma playing very well, and there are also veterans Bonucci (34 years old), G. Chiellini (36 years old) also playing very well.
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| They are not to blame, and even coach Gareth Southgate is not to blame. Photo: Sky |
Bonucci is the oldest player to score inEuro final(34 years and 71 days); when Jorginho failed to kick the penalty, his teammates corrected his mistake, while Bukayo Saka, who took his first penalty kick in an official professional match, had no chance.
But the English players are not to be blamed, and even coach Gareth Southgate is not to be blamed. More than anyone, Gareth Southgate must understand his players better than the audience, and he has calculated who will take the penalty. Perhaps the warning "Never underestimate the Italians, never pay attention to the English" - is true to the football situation of the two major European countries.
After 55 years of waiting, the song "Football's coming home" suddenly stopped halfway./.