One thing that has had many people up in arms about Euro 2016 is the maddening rule in which two yellow cards picked up by a player from the first match to the quarter final means you miss the semi-final.
Surely common sense would suggest that this rule should apply for the group stages and reset once the knock out rounds begin. UEFA in their infinite wisdom however do not bow to common sense. This leaves us then in the truly bizarre scenario where Italy may beat Germany tonight but pick up so many yellows that they would not be able to field a team for the semi-final due to suspensions (Stat courtesy of Ben Jacobs Bein Sports).
Now of course this is highly unlikely to happen but the fact that certain players are on yellows may rest on their minds heading into the match. If Italy are to win tonight, then any thoughts of picking up another yellow must be banished and the same ferocious attitude shown against Spain rekindled once more.
And if Italy are to come away victorious at the end of the night these three men are going to have to play a central part.
Stefano Struaro
The will he won’t he debate still surrounds Daniele De Rossi but it looks more than likely that the Roman will miss out on the match. In that case Antonio Conte will turn to the young shoulders of Stefano Struaro.
The 23-year-old Juventus midfielder has come on leaps and bounds in the last 18 months or so and this is just another step on the ladder if he wants to progress to the higher ranks of the game. De Rossi’s experience and guile will be sorely missed in the middle of the park but Struaro’s youth coupled with that eagerness to make a statement on the global stage may end up being Conte’s ace in the hole.
Another huge positive for Struaro is the presence of his Juventus teammates in defence. This will give him the boost he needs to go about his business safe in the knowledge that he knows what to expect from those behind him.
Marco Parolo
Yes, really, Marco Parolo. The 31-year-old has not always been a favourite among Azzurri faithful and in truth he is not the most talented player in the squad but he is a workhorse and someone Conte has come to rely on.
A willing runner Parolo is liable to turn up in either box at any given moment and it is this box to box mentality that may help the Azzurri overcome the Germans once again. In a team lacking in real star quality Parolo has best come to typify Conte’s Italy, a worker, a loyal lieutenant, a never say die attitude and steely resoluteness.
He may not be your favourite man in blue but he’s earned the trust of Conte and for now that’s good enough for me.
Gianluigi Buffon
In all honesty there is not much more here that I can add that hasn’t already been said about the great man. A leader and a rock, passionate to a fault and blessed with the abilities of a superhero.
Despite our faith in San Gigi being so strong however there remain doubters in the world, those who wrongly worship at the altar of the false prophet Manuel Neur. Tonight Buffon will once again meet this opponent and once again he will aim to show the world who truly is the best. If he does succeed in this battle, then Italy may very well be marching onto a semi-final match.
In the end it will take all 11 men plus three subs to get the job done on the night but if Italy can reproduce what they did against Spain then the streets of Rome, Milan, Turin and many more will be filled with ecstatic locals.
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