Italian Wingbacks Are Amongst the Best in the World. Let’s Celebrate That

Back in July, even the most patriotic Italian would have laughed you out of the room if you were brave enough to forecast that Italy would lose just one of their next six matches.

But here we are at the back end of the UEFA Nations League group stage, with Italy and France joint leaders on 13 points, the former finishing second on goal difference and qualifying for the knockouts ahead of Belgium.

Are Italy overachievers?

Most would overwhelmingly agree when considering the embarrassing Euro title defence that ended in disgrace, played off the park by motivated Spanish and Swiss sides.

Italy’s reputation was certainly ripped to pieces. The tifosi were infuriated, with manager Luciano Spalletti castigated by keyboard warriors far and wide.

Questions had to be asked. Was Roberto Mancini’s Euro 2020 title a fluke? Are Italy merely 1992 Denmark 2.0?

Well, the talent pool is still there, at least in terms of goalkeepers and midfielders. Managerial depth has never really been of concern – bar the Gian Piero Ventura train wreck – but the network of ominous central defenders and brilliant strikers quickly diminished after the likes of Alessandro Nesta and Christian Vieri retired.

Azzurri football currency has always been backed by goalkeeping gold, from Dino Zoff to Gianluca Pagliuca, Gigi Buffon to the incumbent Gigio Donnarumma.

The midfield has stabilised since Antonio Conte’s 2016 team of underdogs and has again regenerated beautifully during this Nations League. Samuele Ricci seamlessly replaced Jorginho. The reborn Sandro Tonali is a godsend.

Given the pedigree Spalletti can now choose from, even Nicolò Barella must stay on his toes.

But the unsung heroes are those putting in the hard yards out wide, those with the intelligence to defend, invert and attack.

Spalletti’s tactical game has benefitted when shifting gears quickly; the Nations League (UNL) providing the rehearsal stage for his wingbacks to show him they are world-class, at least away from the pressures of summer tournament football.

The key figure on the right side is Andrea Cambiaso. After being given just 72 minutes across three substitute appearances in Germany, the Juve man was entrusted with five starts (and 457 minutes) throughout the UNL, scoring twice and providing one assist.

The 24-year-old has barely put a foot wrong since becoming a mainstay, and scored his second international goal to halve the deficit against France in Milan.

“After the Euros, we recovered well and played well,” Cambiaso told RAI Sport. “We are a young squad and need to continue along this path.”

There is no better left-sided wingback than Federico Dimarco, who paved the way for Cambiaso’s strike on Sunday.

Dimarco took no prisoners as Italy searched for a way back into the game. The Inter winger stole the ball away from Jules Kounde, dished off for the give-and-go, and then teed up the inviting ball for Cambiaso’s goal.

Valued at €50M, according to Transfermarkt, Dimarco has contributed four assists and one goal during his past six international appearances, with two more assists and a goal for Inter this season.

Throughout the tournament, Belgium and France had their moments but struggled to penetrate Italy in general play. Spalletti’s side looked composed at the back but did concede six of eight goals from set pieces.

“A team like ours cannot keep conceding so many goals from set plays,” Dimarco told RAI Sport.

“France are a strong team. After the Euros, we began building a whole new era. There are many new players, and I think the overall balance of the Nations League is positive for Italy. We must carry on and learn from this defeat,” added Dimarco.

The good news is that, despite some spectacular performances, the Italians are not getting ahead of themselves. It’s quite the opposite: humility and maturity are integral as La Nazionale shape its new identity.

After starting them together in five of the group games, Spalletti is sure to begin the quarter-final with Cambiaso and Dimarco if both are available.

But the depth is there if required: Raoul Bellanova (one UNL start) and Destiny Udogie are waiting for their opportunities, with Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Matteo Darmian still able to do a job and Nicolo Savona and Matteo Ruggeri in the mix.

Despite the sole UNL defeat, Italy have reasserted themselves as a force on the world stage. Spalletti can continue to alternate fringe players and incorporate the cream of the Azzurrini in the latter stages, with one eye on World Cup qualification.

The UNL quarter-finals will be played in March, with the winners advancing to the Final Four in the summer of 2025.