A lot of pundits jumped on Julie Foudy’s Italy bandwagon after the Azzurri looked like a free-flowing, attacking side with seven goals in Group A action. But in case you have forgotten how Italians love to play football, Saturday’s win over Austria was another reminder they’re a defense-first team, as they set record for longest streak without conceding a goal.
Belgium forward Romelu Lukaku had fans ask him questions on Twitter and his responses display just why we love him. He replied to dozens of questions, including sharing his biggest motivation and even firing back at some haters, making this thread a must-see. As he lights up the pitch at Euro 2020, we look at the highlights from the Lukaku Q&A to get to know one of our favorite stars even more.
Let’s go ask your questions
Italy is hoping this is the start of a new golden generation after missing the World Cup three years ago; Austria is hoping its current golden generation can reach the Euro quarterfinals for the first time ever. The Euro 2020 Round of 16 continues with the top team from Group A against the runner-up from Group C. Read on for our Italy vs Austria prediction, preview and viewers guide.
The European Championship is entering its knockout phase and the following is an overview of the remaining 16 teams:
AUSTRIA
Utilizando una formación alternativa, Italia venció a Gales por 1-0 para cerrar su participación en el Grupo A de la Euro 2020 con una campaña perfecta: tres triunfos, siete goles a favor y ninguno en contra. Un pleno que nunca antes había ocurrido en la competencia.
El autor de la conquista ante Gales fue Matteo Pessina, mediocampista de la Atalanta quien, por sus gustos e intereses, parece un hombre sacado directamente desde el Renacimiento.
For the first time in European Championship history, a nation has won all three of its group stage matches without conceding a goal. Italy defeated Wales 1-0 on Sunday to finish top of Group A and book a Round of 16 trip to Wembley Stadium, where they’ll likely meet either Ukraine or Austria.
Italy manager Roberto Mancini made eight changes to the side that hammered Switzerland on Wednesday, but the Azzurri looked no different in how they went about dominating the opposition.
Week 1 of 4 of Euro 2020 brought plenty of goal-mouth action, but also some disappointing performances — especially from some tournament favorites.
While we're only just starting the second matchday of the group stage, it is never too early to make some broad and definitive conclusions about the action that has taken place thus far.
Here are the biggest things I noticed from the opening week of the Euros.
The pre-tourney favorites have been underwhelming — except for Italy (and maybe Belgium)
On July 3, 2001, Gianluigi Buffon became the most expensive goalkeeper in football, moving from Parma to Juventus for a fee of around $58 million. Now, two decades and 489 Serie A appearances later, Buffon is back at the club where it all started.
Gigi Buffon officially became a Parma player again on Thursday, signing with the Serie B side on a two-year deal. "Superman" had returned.
Italy favorites to win Euro 2020? I’d argue for Gli Azzurri. Italy picked up its second victory in Group A and secured a spot in the knockout stages after comfortably defeating Switzerland 3-0.
It was an unexpected hero who bagged a brace for Italy as Manuel Locatelli got the double to secure the three points. The Sassuolo midfielder had never scored a brace for club or country before Wednesday.
Italy, nominally, was the away team for its Euro 2020 opener on Friday. Though the match was played in Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Turkey was designated the home team. In reality, it was a home game for Azzurri, and one to celebrate as major international soccer returned after a year’s delay because of the Covid-19 pandemic.