The midfield of Italy at Euro: Still true to the Italian style
2 min read
Coach Spalletti has selected the best personnel for the midfield of Italy at Euro 2024, despite causing some controversy in the media with his squad selections.
In the heart of Italy’s midfield, Jorginho, known for his adeptness in controlling play and reminiscent of the style of Andrea Pirlo, secures a pivotal role due to his exceptional form at Arsenal in London. Alongside the experienced Jorginho, Cristante from AS Roma offers a robust defensive midfield option, complementing Jorginho’s style effectively.
Moving further up the field, the mezzala role, a hybrid central midfielder used extensively in Italian football, is likely to be filled by either Barella or Frattesi from Inter Milan, both of whom are currently in excellent form in Serie A. If needed, players like Fagioli from Juventus or Pellegrini from AS Roma could also be deployed in this role. Notably, Nicolo Fagioli, despite serving an eight-month suspension earlier, has been included in the squad, underscoring Spalletti’s confidence in the young talent from Juventus.
Recent friendlies have seen Italy predominantly adopt a 3-4-3 formation, with Jorginho and Barella likely to be key figures in The midfield of Italy.
Interestingly, Spalletti has opted to leave Locatelli out of the squad, despite the midfielder’s previous integral contributions to Italy’s success in Euro 2021. Locatelli’s form has dipped towards the end of the season, which has led to concerns about his ability to maintain the required standard for the national team.
While Locatelli had a strong start to the season, his performance dwindled later on, coinciding with Juventus’ slump in form towards the latter stages. Given these signs of fatigue and declining performance, Spalletti decided against including him in the squad, prioritizing midfielders who are currently in top form and meet the team’s requirements.
Whether playing with a midfield trio or a double pivot, Locatelli currently faces stiff competition from the likes of Barella (Inter), Frattesi (Inter), Cristante (Roma), Pellegrini (Roma), Fagioli (Juventus), and Jorginho (Arsenal). These players have either shown outstanding form or earned the trust of the Italian coaching staff.
Despite ongoing debates, Italy’s emphasis on the midfield’s importance and the selection of players in top form appears crucial as Euro 2024 approaches in less than three weeks.
