The Italian team that stand in the way of England and Euro 2020 glory
The midfield playmaker who survived an earthquake, the Chelsea star who lived in a monastery and the centre-back who thwarted an armed robbery… the Italian team that stand in the way of England and Euro 2020 glory at Wembley
- England are just one step from glory as they face Italy in the Euro 2020 final
- Italy have impressed from the start and will provide a stern test on Sunday
- Roberto Mancini’s side are looking to break English hearts at Wembley
Italy take on England on Sunday evening with a likely starting XI including just two players from the Premier League.
Here, Sportsmail takes a closer look at those who stand between Gareth Southgate’s men and glory.
From the boy who survived an earthquake to his team-mate who lived in a monastery…
Italy have a strong team which are looking to end England’s hopes of Euro 2020 glory
Gianluigi Donnarumma. Goalkeeper, 22. Free agent.
In his sixth season as a full international, which is remarkable given his age. His mother had to carry his identity card to junior matches to prove to opposition parents he was not too old to play. Left Milan this summer when contract expired.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo. Right back, 27. Napoli.
Was playing third-tier football at the age of 23. He started out as a striker and was compared to Gabriel Batistuta before shifting back through the field. Named his first daughter Azzurra, a nod to the Azzurri blue of the national team.
Gianluigi Donnarumma has already made 32 caps for Italy at the young age of 22
Leonardo Bonucci. Centre back, 34. Juventus.
Club-mate, side-kick and best pal of Chiellini, they will holiday together next week. Once thwarted an attempted robbery when with his wife and baby son by punching the would-be thief in the face and chasing him down the street.
Giorgio Chiellini. Centre back, 36. Juventus.
‘I think I know Bonucci better than I know my wife,’ he once said. Has a masters degree in business, but Jose Mourinho believes Chiellini could teach defending at Harvard. Donated the proceeds from his autobiography to charity during Covid-19 pandemic.
Emerson. Left back, 26. Chelsea.
Brazilian-born, he played for the country at youth level but gave up on a senior call-up and accepted the offer from Italy, the birthplace of his maternal grandparents. Was a team-mate of Neymar at Santos and was once left with a bald streak when his friend played a prank with a set of clippers.
Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci have long been rocks at the heart of Italy’s defence
Nicolo Barella. Midfield, 24. Inter.
A huge basketball fan and cheered his country to victory from the team hotel as they qualified for the Olympics last week. His Staffordshire bull terrier is called LeBron, after NBA star LeBron James. A father of three girls despite his tender years.
Jorginho. Midfield, 29. Chelsea.
Another born and raised in Brazil, his mother was an amateur player who took her son to the beach to play. He moved to Italian side Hellas Verona aged 15, where he slept in a monastery and earned €20 a week. His ancestors are from Italy.
Marco Verratti. Midfield, 28. PSG.
Was 14 when an earthquake in his hometown of L’Aquila forced him and his family to sleep in a car for two weeks. Only player in squad never to feature in Serie A having joined PSG aged 19. Made his Pescara debut four years earlier.
Marco Verratti lived in his family’s car for two weeks after an earthquake in his hometown
Jorginho was the hero of the semi-final as his penalty took Italy to the final of Euro 2020
Federico Chiesa. Forward, 23. Juventus.
Son of former Italy star Enrico, he replicated his feat of scoring in the Euros in this country when he netted against Austria at Wembley, 25 years after his dad scored at Euro 96. He has studied sports science and English and would like to study cosmology.
Ciro Immobile. Forward, 31. Lazio.
His 36 goals for Lazio in 2019-20 is a Serie A record, although he has never produced that form at international level, where he has 15 goals from 51 caps. His surname does him a disservice, for Immobile is an all-action forward. His hobbies, however, involve a lot of sitting around – fishing and video games.
Lorenzo Insigne. Forward, 30. Napoli.
The team joker at 5ft 4ins, he hid in Immobile’s wardrobe during this tournament and jumped out on his team-mate when he returned after lunch. He used to be a ball boy for Napoli before making his debut at 18. He also worked on a market stall.
Federico Chiesa has scored important goals against Austria and Spain on their way to the final
England will have to be wary of deadly forwards Ciro Immobile and Lorenzo Insigne
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