After Italy returned to the top of the pile in European football this summer, Oli Coates picks out five Euro 2020 winners to keep an eye on in the coming campaign.
Although much of Italy continues to bask in the warm glow of a remarkable summer of sporting success, attentions have already turned firmly towards the new Serie A season. The Azzurri gave us a ride to remember at Euro 2020, with these five players hoping to continue their momentum into the new campaign.
Leonardo Spinazzola – Roma
Spinazzola was Italy’s best player at the Euros up to the quarter-finals, when he cruelly ruptured an Achilles tendon in the closing stages of the Azzurri’s impressive 2-1 victory over Belgium. The dynamic left-back received two man-of-the-match awards to catapult himself into continent-wide consciousness, before stealing hearts with his emotional reaction to what was clearly a serious injury against the Belgians.
These are intriguing times at Roma as they head into the new season with Jose Mourinho at the helm. Spinazzola has said he’s targeting a return to action in November, and Giallorossi supporters will hope that proves to be the timeframe rather than some of the more negative prognoses.
Manuel Locatelli – Juventus
Sassuolo came 17th in their first ever Serie A season in 2013-14, beating the drop by just two points. The Neroverdi have finished 12th, sixth, 10th, 11th, 11th, eighth and eighth in the seven seasons since, missing out on a return to European football last term by virtue of just two goals in the goal difference column after sharing a points tally and head-to-head record with Roma, with Manuel Locatelli a crucial part of that progress.
Locatelli was named man of the match in Italy’s 3-0 victory over Switzerland in the Euro 2020 group stage, scoring a brace to cap a superb performance. Still only 23, he became an integral member of Sassuolo’s team in his three years at the club, and will hope to be similarly important now he has moved on to Juventus.
Federico Chiesa – Juventus
After starting Italy’s first two group games on the bench, Chiesa quickly became a key player for the Azzurri at the Euros. He replaced Domenico Berardi in the starting line-up in the latter stages of the tournament, scoring twice in the knockout rounds and being named man of the match in the semi-final victory over Spain.
The 23-year-old has been the subject of numerous transfer rumours in the wake of his summer performances, but is set to be a crucial member of Max Allegri’s Juventus squad in the coming season. It’s a big campaign for the Bianconeri as they attempt to reclaim the Scudetto, and Chiesa’s stock is only set to rise further.
Nicolo Barella – Inter
It’s also a big season for newly-crowned champions Inter. The Nerazzurri have been rocked by their financial troubles, which have led to the departures of coach Antonio Conte and star striker Romelu Lukaku. More exits are feared in what could turn out to be a San Siro fire sale, but new boss Simone Inzaghi will be desperate to keep Barella.
The problem for Inter is that Barella has added to his value since turning his loan deal into a permanent transfer for a reported fee of €50m last summer. He’s garnered plenty of attention after starring this summer, starting all of Italy’s games aside from the dead rubber third group game. Nerazzurri fans will hope Barella remains at their club and continues to be one of Serie A’s shining lights for many years to come.
Matteo Pessina – Atalanta
Pessina started his first game of the Euros in the final group match against Wales, scoring the winning goal just before half-time. The Atalanta midfielder returned to the bench in the round of 16, coming on to score Italy’s crucial second goal in extra time against Austria. He didn’t make it onto the pitch in the final, but significantly enhanced his reputation over the summer.
La Dea have been the most entertaining team to watch in Serie A over the last few seasons, with Pessina really making his mark last term by accumulating 28 appearances in the league. He’ll hope to improve on his 21 starts during the new campaign, while also getting the opportunity to impress in the Champions League once again.
Football Italia’s club-by-club 2021-22 season preview will launch in early September.
While the media is all over who will score more Ronaldo or Dybala, the real “jewel” is Chiesa. I questioned his transfer last year, but boy was I wrong. He has grown so much in a single season. With the experience of winning 3 trophies, he will be the engine in the wing that will create opportunities for Ronaldo and Dybala and the key to the success of Juve. Of course the first pass will have to come from Locatelli who is a huge upgrade in the midfield
Napoli starting off season with another blunder of not signing Emerson Palmieri…. ADL keeps sabotaging his own team from success.
Domenico Berardi is another brilliant Euro 2020 winner to watch that deserves mention. Stalwart for Sassuolo who surely will be destined for greater heights