Italy-England, a final for glory and to drive out old demons

Published on : 10/07/2021 – 22:22

A volcano is ready to erupt in London. Wembley, in the north-west of the capital of England, is roaring. Sunday July 11, in the evening, it will be hot. The stadium, built on the ruins of its predecessor of the same name, will be the scene of the final of Euro 2021. And the england team will be there in front of Italy. A real final between, on the one hand, the team of the country where football was born – according to information more or less discussed -, and on the other hand, a selection which displays one of the most prestigious world.

So much for the historical context. But this Italy-England is also a final to appease years of nightmares. The two finalists have different backgrounds, various wounds, but the same goal: to win and put an end to years, even decades of setbacks.

Italy wants to complete its resurrection

Three years ago, the Italian tifosi suffered a terrible affront: the 2018 World Cup took place without their selection. Quadruple world champion Squadra Azzurra missed qualifying for the tournament in Russia. In the play-offs, Sweden had the last word. Italy absent from a World, such a snub had not happened since 1958 and the edition … in Sweden, precisely.

Since this failure, Italy has been in the reconstruction phase. Gian Piero Ventura, symbol of Italian bankruptcy, is gone. After a short interim provided by Luigi Di Biagio, Roberto Mancini moved to the post of coach. And the metamorphosis is impressive. With a group without a big star but united and sure of his abilities, the former coach of Inter Milan and Manchester City has restored the image. Mancini has only been defeated twice and can boast of a record unbeaten run for 33 matches, since September 2018.

A 34th straight unbeaten game would be perfect to put Italy back on top of Europe. The “Nazionale” won the Euro once, but it was in 1968, when the final phase of the competition brought together only four teams. Since then, the national team has gone from disillusioned to disillusioned, including two terrible ones. In 2000, the Azzurri lost in the final in Rotterdam against the French team (2-1 after extra time, golden goal) while they led 1-0 in the 90th + 3. And in 2012, Italy took a beating, still in the final, against an unplayable Spain in Kiev (4-0).

With his lucky coach, his excellent goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, his old briscards Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci, his talented midfielders Nicolo Barella, Jorginho and Marco Verratti, not to mention his multiple offensive solutions (five players scored two goals in this Euro) , Italy intends to scalp England at home to confirm its return to the foreground.

England and its queen have been waiting for 55 years

So talented, so often cited among the most promising teams, but almost always empty-handed: this has been the Way of the Cross for the Three Lions for more than half a century. In 1966, at home, England won the World Cup. This world title remains, for the time being, the only trophy in its history. The English have since never played even a final. The failure of 1996 is remembered: in the semi-final of the Euro, at Wembley, England lost to Germany, with a decisive shot on goal missed by Gareth Southgate.

Having become a coach, the former defender thwarted some of the bad luck that accompanies the national team with this success against the Germans in the round of 16, then this trajectory until the final. But the supporters want a lot more. After 18 months punctuated by the Covid-19 and all these years of sporting disappointments, fans have only one dream: to finally celebrate a success of their favorites, 55 years later.

Where the generations of Shilton, Lineker, Waddle, Seaman, Beckham, Owen, Lampard and other Rooney have failed, the gang led by captain and scorer Harry Kane is 90 minutes (see more) from succeeding. 65,000 spectators will be there to watch the show, a large majority of whom are British; less than 10,000 places have been reserved for Italian supporters. Prince William, a big fan of football, will be present. The crown of England is as thirsty for victory as its subjects.

In a public message, Queen Elizabeth II addressed Gareth Southgate as follows: “ 55 years ago I had the chance to hand the World Cup over to Bobby Moore and saw what it meant for the players, management and technical staff to reach and win a final. (…) I send you my best wishes, with the hope that history will not only retain your success but also spirit, determination and pride. All of England holds its breath. The long dormant volcano is ready for eruption.