Euro 2020: Lorenzo Insigne finally in spotlight as Italy face Switzerland
Updated On: 16 June, 2021 09:29 AM IST | Rome | AFP
It was nearly four years ago that Azzurri manager Gian Piero Ventura`s refusal to utilise Insigne from the bench in a goalless draw against Sweden condemned the four-time World Cup winners to miss out on the finals for the first time since 1958.
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Lorenzo Insigne
Long overlooked in the national team set-up, Lorenzo Insigne served notice of his intentions at Euro 2020 with a sublime goal in Italy`s impressive opening win against Turkey. Under Roberto Mancini, the 30-year-old Napoli captain has finally been given his chance to shine on the international scene as a starter, a position he hopes to keep on Wednesday in Italy`s second Group A game against Switzerland. "Do I feel like a leader? No, only older," said Insigne, who made his international debut nine years ago and has scored nine times in 42 appearances, with five goals coming during Mancini`s spell in charge. It was nearly four years ago that Azzurri manager Gian Piero Ventura`s refusal to utilise Insigne from the bench in a goalless draw against Sweden condemned the four-time World Cup winners to miss out on the finals for the first time since 1958.
On that November night at the San Siro, former World Cup winner Daniele De Rossi, when told to warm-up, pointed to Insigne, angrily asking: "Why should I go on? We don`t need a draw, we need a win." At the time, Insigne was on top form for Napoli, having scored 20 goals in all competitions the previous season. But the winger did not fit Ventura`s rigid tactics, and he never made it onto the pitch that night, after a brief appearance in the first leg. Called up to the national side under Cesare Prandelli in 2012, Insigne has been in all the Italy coaches` squads since, but never regarded as a key player. During the 2014 World Cup he had a mere spectator`s role during a group-stage exit, and again at Euro 2016 under Antonio Conte, when Italy lost on penalties to Germany in the quarter-finals. On Friday, he got his big chance, his first as a starter in a major international tournament. "Insigne is fundamental for us," said Mancini. "For the role of linking things together. He`s an important player for our game." And Insigne repaid Mancini`s trust with a relentless performance, powering up and down the wing for 80 minutes before curling in the third goal of the night.
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