Euro 2016 Recap: Belgium Vs Italy

Fulltime: Belgium 0-2 Italy

Giaccherini (ITA) 32'
Pelle (ITA) 90+3'

Another enticing match at Euro 2016. Belgium versus Italy in only the second game in Group E. You don't normally get a meeting between two high-profile teams this early in a tournament. But, this is after all the dreaded group of death. And, the outcome could have huge implications.

A Surprising Formation

At the onset I was really surprised with how Italy approached the game. They had their back-four positioned really high, and the frontline just below the middle of the pitch; giving the Belgian offense very limited space to operate. It required a lot of discipline. And, pulled it off beautifully. Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne were almost anonymous. Their ability to influence and dictate their offensive machine was negated. Romelu Lukaku was a reduced to a pedestrian role. Chances at goal were speculative at best. The passing lanes were expertly plugged by the likes of Juventus man, Giorgio Chiellini. They looked lost and overwhelmed by the tactics thrown at them by the Azzuri.

But the Italians did not sit back and park the bus either. Their movement going forward was also a delight to watch. The long looping passes they dished all over the place left the Belgian back-four disoriented. Italy didn't dominate possession. But, they showed better quality whenever they had the ball.

On 32 minutes, central defender Leonardo Bonucci issued a Hail Mary pass from near the center mine that flew over the head of Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld. The ball found an onside Emanuele Giaccherini who slotted it past Thibault Courtois for the ice-breaker.

No Solutions

A string of 2nd half adjustments and substitutions on the Belgian side did little to change the trend set in the 1st. The inefficient Lukaku was recalled to the bench and replaced by Liverpool striker, Divock Origi. De Bruyne and Hazard were positioned on the same side in the hope of injecting more fluidity in the passing game. But still, the blue line the Italians drew was never threatened seriously. Set pieces that targeted the towering Marouane Fellaini had some success, but the Manchester United player was wasteful.

The shock humiliation continued agonizingly until it was capped off by another goal. A superb volley from Southampton striker Graziano Pelle deep into stoppage time sealed the fate of Belgium. Three points.

The Bad Tackle

Italy exhibited a virtuoso performance not seen in football for so long. It was total dominance on both ends. The discipline of everyone involved was enviable. Antonio Conte prepared his squad really well. I cannot wait to see this new look Italian side go up against the favourites.

Belgium was just outclassed by a better team. With the talent available, they can easily take control of any game and dominate their opponents. In my preview, I stated that Belgium has the most formidable line-up in Euro 2016. They need to come-up with alternative strategies to what they displayed in this game. I wrote on Twitter as the whistle sounded: Belgium got schooled in Lyon. They should learn from this.