Italy’s Tactical Mastery at Euro 2020 Under Roberto Mancini
After the disappointment of missing the 2018 World Cup, Italy has rebounded in spectacular fashion under Roberto Mancini, building a 30-match unbeaten streak. At Euro 2020, the Azzurri have impressed with a dynamic, possession-oriented style that sees them as strong contenders for the title. This comprehensive tactical analysis explores how Mancini reshaped Italy’s approach, dissecting their formation, player roles, build-up patterns, attacking strategies, and defensive organization following three dominant group stage victories.
Flexible Formation and Team Structure
While Italy are often described as lining up in a 4-3-3, their in-game shape is significantly more fluid. The left full-back regularly advances high up the field, giving the team the feel of a 3-2-5 or 3-5-2 both in attack and defense, thanks to intelligent positional rotations.
Key personnel form the backbone of Mancini’s system:
– Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has anchored the defense, keeping clean sheets across the group stage.
– The experienced Leonardo Bonucci organizes the back line, partnering initially with Giorgio Chiellini, though injuries forced Mancini to rotate between Alessandro Bastoni and Francesco Acerbi.
– The right back, alternately Alessandro Florenzi, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, or Rafael Toloi, contributes directly to ball progression, unlike the more attacking Leonardo Spinazzola on the left.
– Spinazzola’s aggressive runs transform him into an auxiliary winger, allowing Lorenzo Insigne to cut inside and overload the left half-space, while Domenico Berardi exploits width and defensive stability on the right.
– Ciro Immobile leads the line as a central striker, rediscovering scoring form with 2 goals in 2 matches.
In midfield, the trio of Nicolò Barella, Jorginho, and Manuel Locatelli has proven decisive. Barella frequently ventures forward to press and create, Locatelli provides both defensive cover and timely forward runs, while Jorginho orchestrates play from deep and excels at intercepting transitions. Marco Verratti and Matteo Pessina have also made impactful contributions, offering further creativity and control when called upon.
Ball Progression and Build-Up Play
Italy have become one of the preeminent possession teams at international level, utilizing a sophisticated build-up structure:
– The initial phase involves three defenders (with the right back often tucking in as a third center-back), forming a secure base. Jorginho drops deep to create a diamond—sometimes even a pentagon with Locatelli—in midfield to facilitate short passing options.
– Central midfielders interchange positions fluidly; one may stay advanced, while Insigne and Berardi drop back or drift, dragging defenders out of alignment.
– Spinazzola takes up aggressive advanced positions, staying high and wide on the left, sometimes acting as the most forward player in Italy’s attack. This creates dangerous left-sided overloads with Insigne moving inside for quick interplays and one-twos.
– The left-sided center-back is encouraged to carry the ball forward, adding complexity and recycling to Italy’s possession game. Against Wales, Bastoni frequently operated near the sideline, stretching the play and facilitating diagonal switches or direct balls over a compact defense.
This multifaceted approach enables Italy to patiently construct attacks through short passing or exploit gaps with direct long balls, keeping opponents guessing. Statistically, only Spain had more overall possession by the end of the group stage, but Italy combined their control with incisive end product—scoring 7 goals from 20 shots per match.
Attacking Movements and Overloads
Italy’s attack is defined by efficient use of possession, rapid transitions, and creative overloads:
– All ten outfield players are positioned in the opponent’s half during sustained attacks, fostering numerical superiority and stretching defensive lines.
– Overloads are typically formed on the left flank through combinations between Spinazzola and Insigne, as they alternate in cutting inside, overlapping, or drawing defenders out wide. Spinazzola’s willingness to take on defenders 1v1 and deliver line-breaking passes makes him a key threat.
– When the left side is crowded, Italy swiftly switch play to the right flank, where Di Lorenzo and Berardi link up to exploit newly created space. This switching unpredictability enables Locatelli to join attacks from deep, as shown in his goal against Switzerland.
– The Azzurri have also demonstrated an ability to strike quickly in transition, utilizing counter-pressing moments and direct breaks to catch opponents unprepared—a tactic that produced multiple key goals in the group stage.
The result is an attack that routinely creates high-quality chances and maintains offensive versatility, giving Italy an edge against even well-organized defenses.
Defensive Organization and Counter-Pressing
Despite dominating possession (averaging 59%), Italy’s defensive setup has stood out for its structure and effectiveness:
– When defending, the team often shapes into a 3-5-2, with Spinazzola remaining advanced and Berardi dropping on the right to provide balance. Insigne pushes up alongside Immobile, increasing high pressing potential.
– Alternatively, the midfield can pivot into a 4-2-2-2 in pressing phases with Barella joining the forwards and central players closing down passing lanes.
– Aggression is tempered by discipline: Italy press energetically but avoid reckless challenges, which is reflected in their low bookings tally at the tournament.
– The midfield’s defensive intelligence, especially from Locatelli and Jorginho, is central to disrupting opposing build-ups. When attacks break down on Italy’s favored left side, these midfielders are quick to halt transitions before opponents can switch play, limiting danger.
– Out of possession, the structure forces opponents into long passes or wide play, but the likes of Bonucci, Donnarumma, and their rotating center-backs have consistently handled aerial threats and recovering balls.
Statistically, Italy allowed just 7 crosses per game while delivering 17 themselves, and have yet to concede a goal following group stage play—a testament to both defensive solidity and transition discipline.
Conclusion: Italy’s Road to Contention
Italy’s rejuvenation under Roberto Mancini has impressed throughout Euro 2020’s group stage. By blending positional flexibility, disciplined pressing, and inventive possession-based football, the likes of Spinazzola, Locatelli, and Berardi have risen as breakout performers, while stars such as Insigne, Immobile, and Jorginho deliver consistent leadership and execution.
Whether utilizing patient build-up or rapid transitions, Italy’s seamless shift from defense to attack has positioned them as one of the top teams at the tournament, sparking hopes among fans for a return to European glory. As the knockout rounds beckon, the Azzurri’s combination of creativity, discipline, and tactical variety will be crucial in facing stiffer competition and striving for the Euro 2020 crown.
