Euro Cup 2020: Group A Preview
Italy's bread and butter has always been an airtight defense. Can veteran CB Giorgio Chiellini help this revamped Italy squad to Euro Cup glory on home soil?
Italy
FIFA Rank: #7
Qualified as: 1st place in Group J
The Skinny
Since winning the World Cup in 2006, Italy have struggled immensely to get back to the upper echelon of the sport. They failed to progress to the knockout stages in the ensuing two tournaments, and then in 2018, reached peak national disgrace by failing to even qualify for the Cup. Throughout this time, however, they have fared better in the Euro Cup; two quarterfinal appearances in 2008 and 2016 were sandwiched around a runner-up to Spain in the 2012 competition. And after rampaging through their (admittedly not particularly competitive) qualifying group with 10 wins out of 10, the Azzurri look rejuvenated and ready to once again make noise in this tournament. The fact that all their group matches will be played at home in Rome's Stadio Olimpico has to make them clear favorites in this one.
The Best XI
As this is the first iteration of what will be 24 different 'Best XI's, let me start with this disclaimer: these are not necessarily how these teams will line up. Rather, they're my take on which lineup would put the maximum of each team's talent on the field to start. For Italy, this starts with the wunderkind in goal; though it still feels like cognitive dissonance to see an Italy lineup sans Gianluigi Buffon, young Donnarumma has been the heir apparent for some time now. He'll be stationed behind two veteran CBs in Chiellini and Bonnucci, and in the wing backs and midfielders, Italy have 4 options at Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, two of Europe's best clubs this year. This lineup also would allow Italy to have 4 attacking players that have been among the best in the Serie A the last few seasons.
Switzerland
FIFA Rank: #13
Qualified as: 1st Place in Group D
The Skinny
For the last 15 years or so, Switzerland have consistently been a "next tier" team: consistently solid, with a team full of players playing at Europe's highest level, but never actually dynamic enough to create significant noise in the major tournaments. It's hard to see that changing with this iteration of the Nati, but their impressive run (1 loss out of 8 matches) in a difficult qualifying group, along with their Nations League semifinal appearance two summers ago, perhaps bodes well.
The Best XI
It is unlikely that Switzerland, notorious for stout, organized, defensive play, will set up this way. Still, in terms of talent at their disposal, it would likely be to their benefit. Ricardo Rodriguez, Fabian Schär, and Manuel Akanji are their only proven quantities in defense, and in Embolo, Seferovic, Shaqiri and Zuber, they have four attackers that have not only proven themselves for Switzerland, but also for the likes of Liverpool, Benfica, and Eintracht Frankfurt. Arsenal enigma (and Swiss captain) Granit Xhaka is likely to anchor a midfield that could also feature Mönchengladbach's Deniz Zakaria and Atalanta's Remo Freuler.
Wales
FIFA Rank: #17
Qualified as: 2nd Place in Group E
The Skinny
Wales, whose World Cup history is confined to one appearance in 1958, exploded onto the scene 5 years ago in France, with a stunning run to the Euro Cup semifinals, where they only lost to eventual champions Portugal. Inconsistent form since then, drastic changes in the managerial position, and the aging of several key players from that run make a repeat Cinderella feat unlikely. However, The Dragons did qualify directly out of a group that eventually saw 4 different teams make the tournament, and are still a squad packed with talent from England's top two divisions.
The Best XI
Other than Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey, who is sure to feature in the starting XI, this is a lineup that will trot out a number of names familiar to Premier League and Championship fans. Liverpool fans will recognize former players Danny Ward in goal and Joe Allen in the midfield, as well as young Neco Williams at right back. Former Chelsea and current Sheffield United player Ethan Ampadu could play at midfield or in defense, and Tottenham fans will be happy to see Ben Davies at left-back and of course, Gareth Bale leading the attack. Two players likely to join Bale in attack are Leeds' Tyler Roberts, and Manchester United's Daniel James.
Turkey
FIFA Rank: #29
Qualified as: 2nd Place in Group H
The Skinny
Turkey is good for the occasional surprise in a major tournament (see: the 2002 World Cup and 2008 Euro Cup). But by and large, they tend to be a side with enough quality to qualify for the dance, but not enough to progress in the tournament. A really solid qualifying run (1 loss in 10 matches, in a group that included world champions France) will instill confidence in Ay-Yıldızlılar, but by and large, this is still a squad for which anything more than a group stage exit would be an accomplishment.
The Best XI
Turkey is sneakily good at the back; they could theoretically trot out a back 5 that consists of starters at Besiktas, Juventus, Leicester City, Liverpool, and Lille, respectively. Söyüncü's Leicester teammate Cengiz Ünder could join talismanic striker Burak Yilmaz, of Lille, in attack, and the midfield is likely to be controlled by Milan's Hakan Çalhanoglu.
Group Prediction
Given their dreadful World Cup 2018 qualification campaign, and the relative ease of their Euro qualifying group, I'm not sure I'm ready to proclaim Italy totally back. Still, it's hard to imagine these particular teams having enough to stop the Azzurri from winning this group, particularly on home soil. Switzerland seems the clear #2 choice here, and though Wales may have enough to get a point off at least one favored team, I think they ultimately fall short of having enough to qualify for the round of 16.
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