Italy had a tough period after Antonio Conte's resignation that came after Euro 2020. Under Gian Piero Ventura Italy failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Italy had failed to make it to the World Cup finals for the first time since 1958. Immediately following the match, veterans Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli, Daniele De Rossi and captain Gianluigi Buffon all declared their retirement from the national team.
In May 2018 Roberto Mancini was appointed as the manager. Mancini successfully convinced Chiellini to continue playing for the national team and made him the captain. Under Mancini, Italy started to consistently play good football. They qualified for Euro 2020 with 3 matches to spare. Italy also qualified for the UEFA Nations League Semi-final that will be played in 2022.
Italy are on a run of 27 games without a defeat. The last time Mancini's side lost was in September 2018 against current European champions Portugal. In that period Italy have only conceded 7 goals.
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The Italian team traditionally have strong defences but under Mancini, the attacking side of things have looked very promising as they have scored 75 goals in those 27 undefeated games.
Italy have the experience of Georgio Chiellini, Lorenzo Insigne, Ciro Immobile Leonardo Bonucci, Jorginho, Marco Verrati and Allesandro Florenzi. While they have a long list of talented youngsters like Nicola Barela, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Alessandro Bastoni and Federico Chiesa. All these names together could cause trouble to any opposition on any given day.
Roberto Mancini has certainly had a very positive impact on the team and the glory days of Italian football are very close to being back provided they reach at least the Semifinals. Italy have a favourable group at the euros with Switzerland, Turkey and Wales. If Italy play the way they have been playing for the past 2 years then they will top the group without any difficulties.
France, Portugal, Belgium and England are considered the favourites to win the tournament but Italy aren't too far off. The reason they are the dark horse is that they haven't played many big teams in their qualifiers and Nations League games. Italy plays Turkey in the tournament opener on Friday and a comfortable win will give Mancini's men a lot of confidence to go deep in the competition.
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