A rocking Italy. The debut of the Azzurri in this European could not have gone better: Belgium, painted on the eve of one of the worst teams to face, was tamed by our fury, capable of imposing themselves with a clear 2-0 that takes us directly to the lead of Group E. Heart, grit and a lot, a lot of tactical organization, here is the recipe with which Conte brought one of the strongest national teams of the tournament to its knees, in defiance of logic and predictions, demonstrating that in modern football, often, it's the ideas that make the difference.
It is no coincidence that the decision was taken by Giaccarini and Pellè, both very loyal to a coach who favors the spirit of sacrifice over individual technique, convinced (rightly) that the former is more important than the latter. Purists, rest your soul: this is not (and will never be) a Playstation Italy, but a group of men dedicated to the cause, best represented by a coach as ferocious as he is prepared. Conti's 3-5-2 dragged the much more technical Belgium into a battlefield, eliminating the qualitative differences and then striking at the most opportune moment.
“It was a good match, played in the right way – thought Conte. – The boys knew how to suffer, demonstrating that, if there is unity, we will be able to achieve important results. Belgium is a talented team, a candidate for the final victory but we were good as a team: only in this way can we move forward".
A lot of satisfaction can also be explained by the suffering of a vibrant match, the most beautiful seen in this European for technical values (of both) and emotional tension. In the first half hour balance reigned supreme, with Italy playing maneuvers and Belgium relying on their stars. On 31' the play splits the game: a splendid throw by Bonucci for Giaccarini, a great stop by the blue all-rounder and a shot behind Courtois.
The young stars of Wilmots felt the blow and Conte's team (bloody after a very true celebration with Zaza) could have doubled, too bad that Pellè, very good at doing the dirty work, was unable to capitalize on a blow butt from close range. In the second half, as it was obvious, Belgium advanced the center of gravity in an attempt to equalize, leaving the Azzurri (and all the Italian people) in an apnea typical of great occasions.
However, the team has never given up playing, so much so that they suffered a sensational counter-attack that Lukaku failed in an equally sensational way, demonstrating that this Italy not only has an excellent defensive organization but also a respectable offensive score. And so Pellè, after failing to double again (this time Courtois was very good), found the 2-0 in full stoppage time (92 '), sending Conte and with him an entire nation into ecstasy. That now, despite the pessimism of the eve, he begins to daydream: because if the spirit remains this no goal can be precluded.
