NICKNAME: Gli Azzurri / The Blues
MANAGER: Roberto Mancini
Former Italian footballer who was very good forward in 80s and 90s most known for playing in Sampdoria. Mancini played there for 15 seasons and won one Serie A title plus 6 other major trophies. He later played 3 very successful seasons in Lazio.
In 2001 Mancini started his coaching career with Fiorentina. He later managed several great clubs such as Lazio, Inter, Manchester City, Galatasaray and Zenit. Since Italy failed to qualify for WC in Russia they appointed Mancini as their new manager. Mancini represented Italian national team 36 times during his playing career and was a member of EURO 1988 and WC 1990 squads.
MOST CAPS: Gianluigi Buffon- 176 caps from 1997 to 2018
TOP SCORER: Luigi Riva- 35 goals from 1965 to 1974
HOST NATION: Yes. Twice. 1968 and 1980.
EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP RECORD: 10th EURO for Azzurri, first one in 1968 on home soil.
BEST RESULT: Best result for Italy on European Championships is title in 1968 on home soil. In 1968 only four teams qualified for EURO. Italy played in the semifinal against Soviet Union. Match finished as a goalless draw so they threw a coin. Italy had more luck and went to a final where they faced another former country, Yugoslavia. One goal from each side and the match finished without a winner. This time they didn't throw a coin but played another match two days later. Italy was better with goals from Riva and Anastasi and won their first and only EURO title.
They also played in two more finals in 2000 and 2012.
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