The special story of Manuel Locatelli

But the pandemic and the injuries to Marco Verratti and Stefano Sensi catapulted the 23-year-old midfielder right into the heart of the Squadra Azzurra and this European Championship. “That was a fantastic game, I still can't really believe it,” said Locatelli, who was the match winner with two goals in Italy's 3-0 win against Switzerland in the second European Championship game and led his team to the round of XNUMX. “A year ago I might not have been here. I’m really happy and proud.” A face of change The midfielder only made his debut in coach Roberto Mancini's selection in September 2020. He only made it into the tournament squad because the European Championship was postponed due to the corona pandemic. Locatelli delivers consistently good performances for Sassuolo Calcio in Serie A, but hardly anyone in the national team had him on the radar for a long time - similar to the Squadra Azzurra before this European Championship. Locatelli is a young face of the change that Mancini initiated so successfully after missing the 2018 World Cup.

The result is a team made up of experienced veterans who provide stability, such as defensive veterans Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci, and refreshing young stars like Locatelli. While there were always problems with the realignment of the German national team, Mancini has been following his path very consistently for the past three years. The reward was the second European Championship victory thanks to Locatelli's brace (26th/52nd minute) and the second tournament goal from striker Ciro Immobile (89th).

Italy recently celebrated ten wins in a row without conceding a goal, and at this European Championship they have six points and 6-0 goals after two appearances. This team has been unbeaten in 29 games, and a draw or win against Wales on Sunday would equal the old record of 30 games without defeat under Vittorio Pozzo from 1935 to 1939. Here Manuel Locatelli scores the first goal against Switzerland. © APA/afp / RICCARDO ANTIMIANI

It was initially unclear whether Chiellini will be there when the group wins against Wales. The captain had to go out injured after a good 20 minutes. “It was a tough game, some were very tired at the end,” said Mancini. Marco Verratti, whose knee injury only forced Locatelli into the first European Championship eleven, could definitely return. “He is a player who can make a difference, so we are looking forward to his return,” said Locatelli. Mancini is putting the brakes on euphoria But no matter what formation, Mancini doesn't yet see his team on a par with the big boys. “At this European Championship there are teams like France, Portugal, Belgium, who are world champions, European champions or first in the world rankings,” he said. “They have developed over the years and are a lot ahead of us, that’s completely normal.” The 56-year-old also made it clear that he still has a lot of confidence in his team: “Anything can happen in football.”

In the country of the four-time world champions, the fans believe in their Azzurri's chance of winning the title. "You're beautiful. This Italy is always great,” was the headline Gazzetta dello Sport t after the next exciting European Championship appearance. And the Corriere dello Sport saw another “magical night”, which the team celebrated in style on the team bus with Gianna Nannini's 1990 World Cup hit “Un'estate italiana” (An Italian Summer). Courted by Juventus Locatelli sat in the middle with his trophy for player of the match. “I feel like I should hand the trophy to the team. I’m one of the youngest, but they welcomed me very well,” said the professional, who was courted by Juventus, modestly.

By the way, Locatelli played in Milan's youth ranks and was then included in the first team in the 2015/16 season. After a few strong appearances at the beginning of his professional career (including scoring the winning goal against Juventus), he was no longer played at Milan and was ultimately traded to Sassuolo in the 18/19 season. Milan will probably be annoyed about this in retrospect.

After his twelfth international match, he first wanted to enjoy the moment. Late that night, Locatelli wrote on Twitter alongside a celebratory photo and a small Italian flag: "A night I will never forget."

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The special story of Manuel Locatelli

Without the coronavirus, Manuel Locatelli would probably have just been a spectator in this Italian European Championship summer, which has been so exciting so far.

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