Roberto Mancini explains Leonardo Spinazzola’s injury gave Italy ‘something more to make us want to win’ UEFA EURO 2020.
This evening, behind the scenes documentary Sogno Azzurro on RAI 1 showed the footage of the team’s reaction after Spinazzola pulled up during the quarter-final with Belgium.
It was immediately apparent that this was a very serious injury when he suddenly stopped mid-sprint and collapsed in tears.
He was diagnosed with a torn Achilles tendon and had surgery within 48 hours of the match, ruling him out for six to nine months.
“Spina was the best full-back in the Euros, he was a fundamental player for his strength, his pace, his technique, and he didn’t deserve this serious injury during such an important game,” Mancini told the documentary crew.
“It was a difficult moment for all of us and now we have something more to make us want to win this Euros, to do it for him, as right now he cannot do anything more for the team.”
The footage of Spinazzola hugged and saluted by all his teammates was already shown by the Azzurri social media channels, but they cut out what the Roma left-back said as he hobbled away on his crutches.
“Let’s go and lift the trophy with crutches. Juuuust perfect…”
Spina: e vabbè alziamo la Coppa con le stampelle. Perfetto 💙
piango tutto 🥺#SognoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/iotXmu8Mfx
— ѕ. 🌹 (@__sonosara) July 15, 2021
Of course, that is precisely what happened a couple of weeks later at Wembley Stadium after Italy beat England on penalties.
Gli #Azzurri abbracciano #Spinazzola
Torna presto Leo! 💪🏻#Coverciano#Nazionale 🇮🇹 #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/MVPbtembju— Nazionale Italiana ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Vivo_Azzurro) July 3, 2021