5 best players for Italy at UEFA Euro 2020

#3 Marco Verratti

Marco Verratti pulled the strings for Italy in the midfield

Marco Verratti might've joined the Italy squad late, but he became one of the most influential players in their title run. His performances were even more impressive as he had not played a game since May.

He reigned supreme in the middle of the park and was a pass-master, completing 93% of his passes and also creating three key passes on average for Italy.

He was equally competent at defending and was the toughest tackler in the competition, averaging 3.6 successful tackles a game.

1 - Since his first game in the tournament on June 20th (v Wales), Marco Verratti ranked first among all midfielders at EURO 2020 in chances created (14), passes completed (388), progressive carries (59), tackles (18) and recoveries of possession (37). Architect. #ITA #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/0rk2IqedT4

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 12, 2021

His technical abilities came in handy, especially on the counter-attack, as he turned defence into attack at the drop of a hat, winning the ball back from the opponents and driving the ball forward with inch-perfect passes.

---

#2 Leonardo Bonucci

Leonardo Bonucci

Italy did not concede a single goal in the group stage. It was a sign of things to come in the tournament as they progressed through the knockout stages on the back of a solid defensive partnership between Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini.

Bonucci stood out as he picked up the Man of the Match award in the final, scoring a crucial goal in the title-decider.

Though he did not win the most tackles for Italy, nor did he make the most interceptions, his reading of the game and man-marking was top notch throughout the competition.

Bonucci and Chiellini were not dribbled past by a single opponent during the entire EURO 2020 tournament.Masters in the art of defending 👏 pic.twitter.com/kUwkU51xLV

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 12, 2021

He won 2.5 aerial duels per game and ensured Italy had a tight ship at the back alongside Chiellini. The player turned 34 in May, but his performances put even some of the youngsters to shame.

With the equalizing goal against England, he became the oldest goalscorer in a Euro final.

---

#1 Gianluigi Donnarumma

Gianluigi Donnarumma was the penalty hero in the semi-final and the final

Gianluigi Donnarumma turned out to be the unlikely hero for Italy with his commanding display between the stick and nerves of steel in two back-to-back penalty shootouts.

He started every game for the Azzuri and conceded just four times in seven appearances. He was not tested much in the group stage and managed to keep a clean sheet in all three fixtures.

In the knockout stages, he put all his skills to work in the high-profile clash against Belgium, making a series of great saves.

It is sometimes difficult to believe that the former AC Milan shot-stopper is just 22 at the moment. Despite his age, he has a lot of experience playing in top-flight fixtures.

This came in handy as he saved Alvaro Morata's penalty in the semi-final and then denied Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka in the title-decider to win the player of the tournament award.

5/5 - Gianluigi Donnarumma has won each of the five games in which his team has faced penalty shootouts: three for his club and two for the National Team. Superman.#ItaliaInghilterra #Euro2020Final #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/41uCXUa6Ge

— OptaPaolo 🏆 (@OptaPaolo) July 11, 2021

Italy's 2006 World Cup triumph was built on a solid defence with Gianluigi Buffon between the sticks. Similarly, their victory in this competition was a result of some astute defending and Donnurumma's heroics.

---