Italy missed the 2018 and 2022 World Cups and won Euro 2020 in between. Only the Italians could arrange things so confusingly. They have won the World Cup four times, they understand knockout football better than most, and they are rebuilding around two players in particular: Nicolò Barella, who runs the midfield like a locomotive, and Gianluigi Donnarumma, who keeps saving things in goal.
Federico Chiesa is the third key name, and the Azzurri sit around 9th in the FIFA ranking.
Can Italy be trusted again?
Look at the parts first. Barella is one of the best box-to-box midfielders in world football, full of energy and quality at Inter Milan. Donnarumma is an elite goalkeeper who was named Player of the Tournament at Euro 2020 for his saves. Chiesa, when fit, has the pace, directness and big-game temperament that tournament football rewards. The style has also moved on, towards something more flexible and modern.
Then look at the record. Four world titles is a lot of tournament knowledge, and knockout games tend to bring out Italian tactical intelligence.
Italy at a World Cup are like a sleeping bear, and waking one is rarely wise. Missing the last two editions should have left them hungry. Barella gives them the engine and the history gives them the know-how. If they find their rhythm early, the rest of the field should be careful.
Tomorrow: number 7.
