Entering The Knockout Round. Italy Prepares Algojo Penalti Against Switzerland

Mateo Retegui attackers are ready to become Italian executioners if they enter on penalties (photo: eufa.com)

JAKARTA - Italy has not yet received a penalty in three group stage matches, but in the last 16 against Switzerland, Saturday 29 June, the possibility of qualifying will be determined from the penalty spot. Italy's head coach, Luciano Spalletti, already has a list of potential penalty takers ready.

"In the team there are many who can kick penalties, there are always reserves if the main kicker is not ready," said Spalletti. Some of the names mentioned by Spalletti are Gianluca Scamacca, Mateo Retegui, Federico Dimarco, and Nicolo Barella. In addition, Riccardo Calafiori and Jorginho are also considered capable.

However, the determination of the penalty kicker will depend heavily on who was on the pitch at the time. Barella will most likely be on the pitch, while Calafiori is absent due to suspension. From Spalletti's list, only one of Retegui and Scamacca may start; Jorginho is under threat from Nicolo Fagioli, and Dimarco is not in the best condition.

Italy has no consistent penalty specialists. Jorginho, who previously kicked penalties for Verona, Napoli, and Chelsea, has failed in the last four occasions with the national team, including twice against Switzerland which forced Italy to play in the 2022 World Cup qualifying playoffs.

Scamacca, who last kicked a penalty in March 2022 with Sassuolo, is not routinely a penalty kicker at his club at this time. Retegui had a better record, often kicked a penalty while playing at Club Atletico Tigre with just one error from thirteen attempts. In Serie A, he only kicked once and managed to score a goal.

Barella has kicked a four-time penalty in Serie A, scoring three goals for Cagliari, with one failure against Inter Milan. Dimarco, although not kicking a penalty at Inter Milan, had experience with the Italian junior national team. However, since then, time has passed long enough.

In addition, there are names like Federico Chiesa who have kicked three penalties in Serie A, two of which have worked. Lorenzo Pellegrini has often been a penalty taker for AS Roma when Paulo Dybala has not played, with a record of 11 goals from 15 chances.

Bryan Cristante also had experience in kicking penalties for AS Roma in important matches. Giacomo Raspadori, despite often kicking penalties at junior level, missed his first chance in Serie A with Napoli. Stephan El Shaarawy and Fagioli have never kicked penalties at professional levels, while Michael Folorunsho has a record of two goals from two penalties, one in Serie B and one in the Coppa Italia.

In the end, the final decision will depend on who is on the field and is ready to take this big responsibility at a crucial time.

As for goalkeepers, Italy is expected to be the most prepared. Because Gianluigi Donnarumma's main goalkeeper, has proven to have performed well in penalties, as at the time of thwarting Luca Modric's strike in the 1-1 match against Croatia.