Five things about Italy ahead of the 2016 European Championships.
MUST READ: Five things you need to know about Belgium
MUST READ: Five things you need to know about Irish Republic
MUST READ: Five things you need to know about Sweden
MUST READ: All you need to know about GROUP A, GROUP B, GROUP C, GROUP D, GROUP E, GROUP F
1) Italy and the Euro, it's a Love-Hate thing
Italy have a love-hate relationship with the European Championships.
They won the World Cup in 1934, 1938, 1982 and 2006.
But since their Euro triumph on their debut in 1968 in a two leg win over Yugoslavia, there has been nothing since.
The Azzurri have finished runners-up twice, including in 2012 when then world champions Spain hammered the Azzurri 4-0 in Kiev.
This will be Italy's ninth participation, having qualified for every Euro since after failing to make it to Euro '94 in Sweden.
2) Euro 2012 - so close, but yet so far
Morale was at an all-time low after a disappointing first round exit from the 2010 World Cup campaign in South Africa, but Italy bounced back at Euro 2012. Cesare Prandelli's men draw with Spain (1-1), Croatia (1-1) and then beating the Republic of Ireland 2-0 to set up a quarter-final clash with England.
The scoreless game was settled by a penalty shoot-out that saw Andrea Pirlo score the decisive kick -- a cheeky 'Panenka' chip down the middle that humiliated England goalkeeper Joe Hart after he had desperately tried to put the midfield maestro off by shouting and waving his arms in the air.
Italy faced Germany in the semis, where 'bad boy' Mario Balotelli struck twice in a shock 2-0 victory, but had no answer to a dominant Spain in the final.
3) Conte seeks winning formula
Italy coach Antonio Conte, who will take over at Chelsea following Euro 2016, has left no stone unturned in his bid to forge a competitive Italy side, although a solid and reliable starting XI has yet to emerge.
With the clock ticking down to Italy's first Group E game against Belgium in Lyon on June 13, Conte is still experimenting with personnel and tactical formations.
Doubts remain over ageing New York City midfielder Andrea Pirlo, who returned from international retirement following Brazil 2014 when Conte was appointed.
His understudy, Paris Saint Germain's Marco Verratti, is expected to be Italy's linchpin in a midfield that should also see Alessandro Florenzi (Roma), Antonio Candreva (Lazio), Marco Parolo (Lazio) and Roberto Soriano (Sampdoria) compete for places.
AC Milan's on-loan Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli, the semi-final hero of Euro 2012, is expected to miss the tournament after being left on the sidelines by Conte.
Although Balotelli is still only 25, Conte has rejuvenated his attack, Stephan El Shaarway (23), Lorenzo Insigne (24), Simone Zaza (24) and Federico Bernardeschi (22) expect should join Brazil-born striker Eder (29) and Graziano Pelle (30) for a tournament that could see several ageing stars bow out.
4) Red Devil Danger
Italy meet Belgium, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland in Group E of the Euro 2016 -- and recent history suggests it is the Belgians who are the biggest challenge.
In 21 meetings with the 'Red Devils', Italy emerge on top with 13 wins, four draws and four defeats.
But thanks to stars like Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Vincent Kompany and Radja Nainggolan, Marc Wilmots' side have risen to number two in the world rankings behind Argentina. Belgium swept Italy aside 3-1 in Brussels in November.
Italy have won nine, drawn six and lost six in 21 meetings with Sweden.
Their last defeat to the Scandinavians was a 1-0 friendly reverse in 1998. Since then, the Azzurri have won three and drawn one, including a 2-1 victory in Euro 2000 when Alessandro Del Piero hit an 88th minute winner in a 2-1 victory in Eindhoven.
Ireland have been Italy's opponents 13 times and beaten the Azzurri only twice, their maiden victory -- at the Giants Stadium in the group phase of the 1994 World Cup -- causing a sensation.
It did not stop Italy from reaching the final, where Roberto Babbio's dramatic penalty miss handed a fourth title to Brazil.
5) All eyes on Ibrahimovic
Four Swedes play for teams in Italy's Serie A, where the bulk of Conte's squad ply their trade.
But Italian fans are likely to take a special interest in Zlatan Ibrahimovic when the sides meet on June 17 in Toulouse.
Ibrahimovic, who won titles with Juventus, Inter Milan and AC Milan in an unforgettable spell in Serie A, has only played against Italy once, scoring a late leveller in a 1-1 Euro 2004 group stage draw in Porto.
Ibrahimovic's stay at Juventus finished under a cloud after the Turin giants were stripped of the 2005 and 2006 titles they won with his help for their role in a vast match-fixing scandal.
Currently, Sweden defenders Filip Helander (Verona), Pontus Jansson (Torino) and midfielders Oscar Hiljemark (Palermo) and Robin Quaison (Palermo) play in Serie A. Belgium have only two players in Italy's top flight, in attacking midfielder Dries Mertens (Napoli) and Radja Nainggolan (Roma).
AFP
Fri May 13 2016
Euro 2016: Group E - Italy
Piala FA Inggeris: Status Erling Haaland masih tanda tanya
Pep Guardiola mendedahkan bahawa pemain berusia 23 tahun itu meminta untuk dikeluarkan tanpa memberi alasan yang kukuh.
Anwar hadir selesai kemelut MPN Sabah
Beliau mempengerusikan perjumpaan tersebut yang dipercayai bagi menyelesaikan kemelut politik PKR di negeri ini.
Piala Asia B-23: Vietnam intai peluang benam Malaysia, layak ke suku akhir
Vietnam mencari peluang untuk memastikan slot ke suku akhir Piala Asia B23 apabila berdepan Malaysia malam ini.
AWANI Pagi: Berita tumpuan & menarik di astroawani.com [20 April 2024]
AWANI Pagi bersama Geegee Ahmad & Azib Zikry membincangkan keperluan pengenalan Skim Kemalangan Bukan Bencana Kerja (SKBBK) di mana Presiden Kongres Kesatuan Sekerja Malaysia (MTUC), Mohd Effendy Abdul Ghani akan menekankan bahawa langkah proaktif itu adalah untuk melindungi hak-hak pekerja khususnya apabila melibatkan kemalangan jalan raya di luar waktu bekerja.
Lelaki bertindak bakar diri di luar mahkamah New York
Max Azzarello yang berasal dari St. Augustine, Florida, dilaporkan telah diselamatkan dan berada dalam keadaan kritikal.
[TERKINI] Ketua Polis Negara paling lama meninggal dunia
Bekas Ketua Polis Negara, Tun Mohamed Hanif Omar, meninggal dunia pada usia 85 tahun di kediamannya di Shah Alam pada 2.15 pagi Sabtu.
Pasangan suami isteri tidak sangka dua kali tolak tawaran, masih ada rezeki tunai haji tahun ini
Selepas surat tawaran berada di dalam tangan, dia dan isteri giat membuat persiapan demi memastikan mereka memperoleh haji yang mabrur.
Lelaki bertindak bakar diri di luar Mahkamah New York
Seorang lelaki bertindak membakar dirinya di luar mahkamah New York di mana perbicaraan bagi kes bekas presiden Amerika syarikat Donald Trump sedang berjalan
Perlu isyhtihar jika bawa lebih S$20,000
: Semua pengembara yang memasuki atau meninggalkan Singapura membawa mata wang fizikal dan instrumen boleh niaga (CBNI) dengan nilai lebih 20 Ribu Dolar Singapura atau bersamaan dalam mata wang asing.
Pengisytiharan CBNI ini supaya membantu usaha Singapura membanteras aktiviti jenayah seperti pengubahan wang haram dan Keperluan sedemikian adalah kebiasaan di banyak negara.
Pengisytiharan CBNI ini supaya membantu usaha Singapura membanteras aktiviti jenayah seperti pengubahan wang haram dan Keperluan sedemikian adalah kebiasaan di banyak negara.
G7 tekad, untuk redakan perang di Asia Barat, Ukraine-Rusia
Isu peperangan di Ukraine dan Asia Barat mendominasi mesyuarat Menteri Luar Kumpulan G7,terdiri daripada Amerika Syarikat, Itali, Kanada, Perancis, Jerman, Jepun dan Britain.
Sidang kemuncak menteri luar itu berakhir sejurus selepas serangan Israel ke atas Iran dikatakan sebagai tindakan balas terhadap serangan dron dan peluru berpandu Iran baru-baru ini ke atas Israel.
Sidang kemuncak menteri luar itu berakhir sejurus selepas serangan Israel ke atas Iran dikatakan sebagai tindakan balas terhadap serangan dron dan peluru berpandu Iran baru-baru ini ke atas Israel.
Euro 2020: Cristiano Ronaldo idola semua orang - Griezmann
Tanpa mengira apa jua keputusan pertembungan mereka kelak, Griezmann memuji Ronaldo dan Messi yang disifatkannya sebagai inspirasi.
Michel Platini dibebaskan
Bekas Presiden UEFA, Michel Platini dibebaskan selepas selesai siasatan berhubung penganugerahan hak penganjuran Piala Dunia dan juga Euro 2016.
Final Piala Dunia: Lloris mahu elak kekecewaan Euro 2016
Hugo Lloris berharap Perancis tidak akan mengulangi kegagalan Euro 2016 ketika berdepan Croatia dalam final Piala Dunia, malam ini.
England, Belgium buru sagu hati
Thomas Meunier berkata menewaskan England untuk perebutan tempat ketiga malam esok kini menjadi keperluan minimum untuk Belgium dalam Piala Dunia 2018.
Ibrahimovic tidak campur tangan, kata Andersson
Jurulatih Sweden, Janne Andersson, menegaskan Zlatan Ibrahimovic tidak mempengaruhi persediaan pasukan berkenaan menjelang aksi pembukaan dengan Korea Selatan, malam esok.
Bola sepak persahabatan: Brazil tebus maruah kalahkan Jerman
Gabriel Jesus muncul wira Brazil dengan gol kemenangan untuk menebus kekalahan memalukan pada 2014.
Ibrahimovic mungkin beraksi di Rusia?
Ibrahimovic mengumumkan persaraan daripada skuad kebangsaan selepas Euro 2016, selepas dia gagal untuk menjaringkan gol dalam ketiga-tiga perlawanan peringkat kumpulan sekaligus tersingkir awal.
Cristiano Ronaldo diangkat sebagai Raja Media Sosial
Selain hebat di padang dan membawa kejayaan untuk pasukan, Ronaldo juga menjadi pujaan jutaan peminat sedunia di media sosial.
Awas dendam Sepanyol - Bonucci
Anak buah Vicente del Bosque bertandang ke Perancis dengan harapan untuk melakar kejuaraan ketiga, namun disingkirkan Itali yang ketika itu dikendalikan Antonio Conte dalam pusingan 16 terakhir.
Griezmann tidak berhak raih anugerah Euro 2016 - Leboeuf
Bekas pemain antarabangsa Perancis, Frank Leboeuf, berasakan penyerang berusia 25 tahun itu tidak cukup konsisten untuk layak meraih anugerah berkenaan.