The Journey of the Euro 2020 champions began in 2018 with Misery. After 2 poor showings against Spain in World Cup Qualifying, the Azzurri were forced to go through the playoffs in order to qualify for Russia. They were heavy favourites against a Zlatanless Sweden and rightfully so, the starting XI consisted of Veratti, Chiellini, Bonucci, Immobile and the ever present Buffon. The Italians were nervous, they had everything to lose and that's exactly what they did. Jakob Johansson opened the scoring in the 61st minute of the first leg and that was all she wrote, Italy weren’t going to the World Cup for the first time since 1958, a national disaster of the highest proportions. Chaos ensued; managers sacked, presidents resigned, legends retired and Italy had dropped to their lowest world ranking ever.

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Only a hero could save them, but they had something better, they had Roberto Mancini. Bouncing back from a disastrous World Cup campaign to Qualify for the Euros with three games to spare, 10 wins from 10 games, the 6th side in history to achieve such a feat but they weren’t done there, the sleeping giant was awake, and it was angry.

 

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First up, Turkey, too easy, 3-0, next please. Switzerland, fuck off, 3 zip, go home. Wales don't even bother, group stage? Completed it mate. Round of 16 time, knock out football, this is the real test. Austria came to play, the 90 was up and we went to extra time. We needed someone to step and announce themselves on the biggest stage, and announce himself he did. Juventus man, Chiesa sent Laimer for a hotdog and fired home, the deadlock was broken, the Italians were going through.

 

 

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Next up Belgium in the Quarters, two big dogs of International Football, this is what it's all about; Lukaku, Immobile, Hazard, Insigne, De Bruyne, Verratti. It was another young ballers time to shine, Nicolo Barella, left foot, right foot, devastating, one of the best finishes of the tournament, only to be outdone 15 minutes later. Insigne channelling his inner Diego Maradonna picks it up in his own half, dribbles past Tielemans and finesses it top bins, real fifa 18 shit, onto the semis.

 

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Do or die time. The Azzurri were up against Spain, and they owed them. This was not the 2012 Spain and this was not the 2018 Italy. It was a cagey affair, something special was needed and something special is what we got. Our man Chiesa again, picking a loose ball up on the edge of the box and firing home, you beauty. 30 minutes from the final, and the Italians were daring to dream. Morata sent us through to extra time and after 120 minutes it was penalties. This is where real Dons step up, and PSG new boy Donnarumma is a real one. Gave Alvaro the eyes and took his side to the final, a sign of things to come.

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One of the most dramatic turnarounds in International tournament history was nearly complete, the only thing in the Italians' way were 11 pasty poms. Two minutes in, Shawberto Carlos connects with a volley and it's 1-0, Fanculo. England sat back and the gladiators went for the throat, Bonucci bundles one home and its game on. The 90 was up, then the 120 were up, oh baby its penalties again. These two have a history, Joe Hart still has nightmares about Andrea Pirlo's Panenka. 2-1 down in the shootout, please welcome to the stage the DONnarumma. Rashford X, Sancho X, Saka X, he stopped England's golden generation in its tracks. Put the stove on, we’re having spaghetti tonight, It's coming home to Rome.

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