Euro 2024: With penalties in play throughout knockout stage, Italy has a giant edge

Penalty shootout season is right here — and the penalty saving wizard of the European Championships, as you would possibly anticipate, cannot wait.

Gianluigi Donnarumma would not essentially wish to face extra penalties, provided that it signifies that both Italy has conceded one throughout common play or did not defeat an opponent inside 90 minutes plus extra-time.

However when the possibility comes to face tall, intimidate the kicker, and probably show to be the distinction between glory or disappointment for the defending champion, he needs you to know one factor.

He is prepared.

“The last word check,” he instructed reporters not too long ago. “And the last word alternative.”

Stating as a indisputable fact that there might be penalty shootouts coming because the knockout spherical of Euro 2024 begins with Italy’s conflict towards Switzerland in Berlin (Saturday, midday ET on FOX) is a kind of issues that is not strictly talking true however would possibly as nicely be. There is no money-back assure supplied right here if every one of many do-or-die elimination video games are concluded in regular or extra-time, however here is one thing higher.

Within the final Euros, there have been 4 video games that went to PKs from 15 matches within the knockout spherical and within the 2016 event there have been three. The World Cup in Qatar noticed 5 shootouts from 16 matches, and each Euros has had one within the fashionable period. The final time there wasn’t a minimum of one was 1988, when the Euros was an eight-team affair and in the event you completed within the high two in your group you have been straight via to the semis, that means solely three elimination matches whole.

So yeah, penalties are coming, with all that rigidity and inevitable heartbreak. 

“On the subject of penalties, having a goalkeeper like Donnarumma is a particular benefit,” Giorgio Chiellini mentioned. Chiellini, a FOX analyst for this event, was Italy’s captain when it received Euro 2020, with Donnarumma named participant of the event.

How’s this for some arduous proof to again up the anointing of Donnarumma as undisputed royalty of the 12-yard stretch of turf between the penalty spot and his aim line? Of the final 10 spot-kicks that failed to attain on the Euros, he has been chargeable for six, both making a save by flinging his large body to at least one facet or the opposite, or panicking the taker into lacking the goal altogether.

The latest was when he parried Luka Modric’s effort for Croatia on the ultimate day of Group B motion. Though Modric scored from open play moments later, Italy’s late equalizer via Mattia Zaccagni put it right into a head-to-head with Switzerland, as a substitute of what would have been, the way in which issues turned out later, early elimination.

Donnarumma’s most well-known physique of labor got here when Italy fell behind to England throughout the shootout within the Euro 2020 last at London’s Wembley Stadium. Then Marcus Rashford dumped his strike towards the put up, earlier than Donnarumma appropriately jumped to his left to disclaim Jadon Sancho, then the identical course to seal it by holding out Bukayo Saka.

He did not instantly have fun on the time, which wasn’t as a result of he is ice chilly, however as a result of he did not understand Italy had received. The Azzurri will forgive his questionable counting abilities so long as he retains making saves like that.

Nevertheless, his nationwide group journey has not been fully easy. He’s 25, Italy’s youngest captain for almost 60 years, but it surely was not fully nicely obtained when he left boyhood membership AC Milan for extra money with Paris St. Germain. Nor when he did not play particularly nicely as Italy missed out on a second-straight World Cup. Head coach Luciano Spalletti was mentioned to be contemplating changing him with Guglielmo Vicario when he was appointed, however did not.

When Donnarumma leads Italy out on Saturday, there might be some historical past at play. The Olympiastadion in Berlin is the place not solely the Euro 2024 last might be held, however was additionally the venue for the 2006 World Cup last the place Italy beat France.

In a penalty shootout.

The goalkeeper again then was the legendary Gigi Buffon, now Italy’s group supervisor. He addressed the squad this week.

“Buffon talked to us about it, you might see the tears in his eyes,” Donnarumma instructed reporters. “This might be an amazing problem in an essential event. We have to be optimistic, have the appropriate mentality and provides 110%.

“Definitely we’re prepared. We have to whittle down a couple of issues that we may’ve performed higher within the group part. There’s extra consciousness of our capabilities. We had a really tough group and everybody thought we have been performed for, however we gave it our all and bought via.

“That enhances our confidence and motivation. As soon as you’re within the Spherical of 16 you’ll be able to go all the way in which. The adrenaline might be pumping, we all know hundreds of thousands of Italians are behind us and that offers us an additional push going ahead.”

Switzerland carried out strongly in Group A, coming inside minutes of beating Germany and topping the group, earlier than being denied by Nicolas Fullkrug late tying aim.

However the Swiss will know as a lot as anybody {that a} large process awaits them. Not simply in toppling the newest group to win the trophy, however in getting the ball previous maybe one of the best goalkeeper within the event.

Who will greet the stress prefer it’s an previous buddy, and, if the gauntlet of penalties arises, will look you within the eye. And invite you to take your finest shot.

Martin Rogers is a columnist for FOX Sports activities. Comply with him on Twitter @MRogersFOX and subscribe to the each day e-newsletter.

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