Italy Player Ratings: Euro 2020 Champions edition
by Schwartz
Seven games and two penalty shootouts later, here we are: Italy are champions of Europe! It’s certainly the most meaningful championship I’ve ever experienced as a fan, and damn near the most dramatic. We watched veterans display the fruits of their experience and finally get rewarded, and young stars put their stamp on football history and show that they are here to stay. So many fantastic players contributed to this run, let’s take a look at how each one of them made their mark on Italy’s second-ever ascension to European Championship glory.
Gianluigi Donnarumma, Goalkeeper
Player of the tournament, and the first keeper to earn that honor. First keeper to win two shootouts in one Euro- the fourth and fifth shootout wins in his senior career, a perfect record achieved across five tries. Three clean sheets and no more than one goal allowed in any match. 22 years old. What else is there to say about Italy’s next SUPERSTAR. While I’m sad to see him leave Milan and Serie A, I know that more greatness is ahead of him in Paris, and of course with his national teammates for years to come. And how (perhaps unintentionally)cold was that walk-off after making the tournament-winning save? 10/10
Leonardo Spinazzola, Left Back
Again, what can I say? Italy’s breakout star fullback did a fantastic job throughout the key early stages of the tournament, and it was plain to see how much he was missed in the last two matches. He was one of the most pleasant surprises of the event, as he made UEFA’s team of the tournament despite missing the final two matches. Italy will hope dearly for a full recovery, as a healthy Spinazzola will certainly be central to any future success for the Azzurri. Get well soon! 9/10
Giorgio Chiellini, Centre back
A rock in the back, cruelly robbed of a goal against Switzerland but provided veteran leadership and strong defense all along. So happy for this hero, all-time great, and Italian legend to have his first major international trophy, as he is showing his age the tiniest bit (prime Giorgio would never have had to resort to a wily grab of Buyako Saka’s jersey) and may not have many more chances. Excited for what should be a grand and emotional Azzurri sendoff for the captain at next year’s World Cup. 8/10
Leonardo Bonucci, Centre Back
One could make the argument that he scored the biggest goal of the tournament, and he came damn close to scoring on other occasions as well. And of course, he has been the other half of one of the great centre-back pairings in European history. The Juve veteran completed the fifth-most passes of all players in the tournament, and even scored two of the smoothest penalties you will ever see, including one in the final which the English announcer accurately described as “magnificent.” A true contender for player of the tournament, and may have won the honor if not for the sheer brilliance of Donnarumma. 9/10
Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Right Back
I’ll not say that anyone in the first choice defense played POORLY, but he was clearly fourth best when the full lineup was healthy. The flank he defended was at the heart of a lot of successful opposing moves, Doku of Belgium in particular gave him fits. Contributed sufficiently to a strong team defensive record, though. 6/10
Emerson Palmieri, right Back
Played at a roughly similar level to Di Lorenzo, effort was admirable in relief of Spinazzola but the level was not remotely the same. Really, he was a spectator at times- such as when he was absolutely clueless to Trippier’s run that led to the opener- but did just enough to contribute to a tournament success. 5/10
Manuel Locatelli, Midfield
The hero of one of the most fun matches of the tournament! An all-time hustler, and a fantastic cog in the midfield while Verratti returned to health. Was a bit susceptible to spells of quietness, he wasn’t necessarily able to make his presence felt at all times the way he did against Switzerland. Disappointing penalty attempt against Spain. Still, a very strong tournament for the Sassuolo man. Will surely have a transfer market. 7/10
Marco Verratti, Midfield
Rarely is his impact truly captured on the scoresheet, but his team-leading three assists (T-2nd among all Euro players) after missing most of the group stages and exiting before the end of many games is quite an impressive total. Of course, his influence on the tournament still goes beyond those three passes- a maestro in the middle, he won back a ridiculous amount of balls for Italy particularly in the Spain match (His 8 tackles won across the tournament was tied for third among all players, one off of the lead), and was a handful for England in the final. He even led all players in the tournament with 14 key passes! A welcome return after his injury- he started over an impressive Locatelli for a reason. A very compelling case can be made that he is Italy’s best outfield player. 9/10
Jorginho, Midfield
Surely thought he would score the winning penalty against England as he had against Spain, but the Chelsea midfielder still put together a tournament to remember. Important box to box midfield contributions in all 7 matches as he covered more distance, played more minutes, and drew more fouls than any other outfield player in the tournament, completed the second-most passes among all players, and of course drilled a memorable, ice-cold shootout winner in the semifinal. Ballon d’or shouts are overzealous and will get him overhated, but he is a truly quality player having a remarkable year. 8/10
Nicolò Barella, Midfield
You’d think that anyone that Inter employs would be total crap, and you’d almost be right- if not for this midfield superstar. Yes, I said superstar, and I mean it. There is no chance Italy would have won Euro 2020 without him, nor is there any chance Inter would have run away with Serie A without him. If he were a striker or CAM with the same influence, he’d be a ballon d’or candidate. His goal against Belgium will certainly live on in Azzurri lore for as long as he lives and beyond. Was a bit quiet in the final, but all things considered, that can be forgiven. 8/10
Matteo Pessina, Midfield
Clutch in relief, and instrumental in providing rest for some of the more high level players. His contributions will not be forgotten, although top tier opponents were able to expose his lack of polish. Still a well-deserving champion. 6/10
Lorenzo Insigne, Left Wing
My review of Insigne will come in the form of a handful of scattered thoughts. He was the side’s most consistent spark at the top, never had any quit. Almost scored a number of stunning free kicks, and would’ve had a late winner in regulation against England were he taller than 5’4. His goal against Belgium was the greatest combination of confidence and skill I’ve seen in some time, and is perhaps my favorite Azzurri goal ever. Lorenzo is the leading candidate to be my first son’s name. Hats off for a killer tournament from a fantastic player, well done Lorenzo! 8/10
Federico Chiesa, Right Wing
Could have and should have started at any of the three forward positions from the start of the tournament. One of the few reasons for Juventus fans to be optimistic about the future (along with the inevitable eventual signing of Donnarumma). Creative and highly talented, he is one of the players that I can truly say were essential to the tournament run- Italy do not even reach the final without him. While he only scored twice, his impact on offense was immense, as he completed the fifth-most dribbles of all players across the tournament. It was noticeable how much danger went out of the team’s attack after he left injured late in regulation. If he had been healthy enough to stay on, I don’t doubt that he might have been the overtime hero and either been named man of the match, or even earned player of the tournament honors . 9/10
Ciro Immobile, Striker
I want him to be good for Italy, I really do. But after a shaky but promising start in the group stage, he contributed very little. Hard to even call him a deserving champion, but he was certainly a veteran presence in an attacking group that did not have too many Italy caps between them. Showed a lot of ability to get into position to score goals, but unfortunately connected on a disappointingly low amount of those chances. Did well to score twice in groups and get the team off to a scorching and unprecedented start, as he was the leading man in Italy’s first- and second-ever three-goal efforts at the Euro (vs. Turkey and Switzerland, respectively). 5/10
Domenico Berardi, Right Wing
had less of a presence as the tournament went on and Chiesa’s star rose, but had some nice runs and passes, and was adequately effective on the wing. Particularly his run and pass to set up the first of Locatelli’s two strikes against Switzerland was greatly appreciated by Italian fans, and will not be forgotten anytime soon. If this team is going to continue to compete at a high level, he will have to be involved, and he will have to take that step from good to great. 6/10
Federico Bernardeschi, Forward/ Attacking Midfield
Hardly played, and it’s a shame- he looked lively and effective when he came on, particularly through taking some dangerous-looking free kicks, and credit is due to the Juventus man for drilling his penalties in both winning shootout efforts. I’d love to rate him higher, but it’s hard to justify for a player who picked up so few minutes. 7/10
Bryan Cristante, Midfield
Played his only major minutes in the final and did well to give some life to an understandably fatigued midfield. No special contributions, no grave mistakes in his short cameo. 6/10
Andrea Belotti, Forward
Only had a real influence in the Wales game, where he put together some nice chances, and the two penalty shootouts, regaining momentum with a confident smash after Locatelli’s opening miss against Spain, and a disappointing but not particularly poor effort that was saved by Pickford. Another substitute who generally did what was expected of him, and not much more. 6/10
Bonus Ratings
Yann Sommer, Goalkeeper, Switzerland
Saved more shots than any other keeper in the tournament despite being eliminated with two rounds to go. Absolutely heroic and instrumental in his country’s shootout win against France, and his performance was beyond vital in getting his team through 120 minutes against Spain. He may have given up 9 goals, but no keeper did more with the circumstances they were given. 10/10
Bukayo Saka, Midfield/Wing, England
I could talk about the fact that every time he touched the pitch, his wayward, leaderless side looked markedly better, or the near-moment of brilliance we may have seen had Chiellini not tactically fouled him at the end of regulation in the final. But none of that really stacks up to the fact that, as one of the youngest competitors in Euro history at the age of 19, and having never shot a penalty outside of the training pitch, he picked up the ball, stepped up to the spot, and confidently rocked a penalty that was certainly of a professional caliber. That penalty simply happened to be saved by a special keeper, one who will certainly be remembered as one of the very best in football’s history when we look back upon his career. Saka showed courage and poise of the highest degree throughout the tournament and particularly at the penalty stripe, and he deserves nothing but praise for that. 10/10
Denmark Men’s National Football Team
Never have I watched a side experience adversity quite in the way the Danes did this tournament, as they watched their best player, veteran leader, and friend Christian Eriksen collapse on the pitch in the opening match of this tournament. We know now that he seems to have made a strong recovery, although his footballing future seems hazy, but that doesn’t alter the magnitude of what his teammates, the fans, and the whole footballing world felt in that moment. This band of Vikings managed not only to continue to play and honor Eriksen, they continued to fight hard to just escape the group stage, and then went on a magical, instantly-legendary run to the semifinal where they were cruelly eliminated by a truly shocking penalty decision. They won the hearts of a worldwide audience, and their emotional, heroic performance will never be forgotten. I could name any number of players, from Damsgaard and Dolberg who led the relentless attack, to Højbjerg who was actually named to the team of the tournament to centre back and captain Kjaer and the stalwart keeper Schmeichel, who together anchored a valiant defense that never quit, but really, the whole squad is deserving of the top rating. Before their pivotal game against Russia, I remember expressing my doubts about their chances, telling a friend that life isn’t a football movie. Well, sometimes it is. Thank you Denmark for reminding us of that. 10/10
It was a tournament to remember, truly the best I can remember in international football, or really any sport. But let’s hope that only rings true for a little over one more year- the winners will be back in action against a field of hungry competitors looking for redemption in the 2022 World Cup. Until then, FORZA AZZURRI! CAMPIONI D’EUROPA!