As a player, Roberto Mancini has never made history for himself with the Italy national football team, but as a coach he will have a whole chapter for himself.

Transforming Italy from a chaotic team that failed to qualify for the World Cup into a European champion in just three years is a remarkable achievement, and the victory over England at Wembley on Sunday showed how important Mancini is to Italy's return.

The Italian national team celebrates its second title in the European Championship


#Euro2020 |

#Italy_England pic.twitter.com/YvfNxOGPPh

— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) July 11, 2021

Of course, any penalty shootout victory like Sunday's 1-1 win after extra time requires some luck, but the 56-year-old did everything to give his team a chance to win.

A goal for Italy!!!!!!

Bonucci snatches the equalizer and ignites the match 🔥#Euro2020 |

#Italy_England pic.twitter.com/ARIjheq0AO

— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) July 11, 2021

On an evening when many of his England counterpart Gareth Southgate's decisions backfired painfully, Mancini's decisions were right at the important times.

Mancini kept his side fresh with the changes over 120 minutes, which had a huge impact on the match and turned it towards Italy after Luke Shaw put England ahead in the second minute.

A goal for England!!!!!!

Luke Shaw signs the first England goal after a great cross from Trippier 🔥#Euro2020 |

#Italy_England pic.twitter.com/Z4KFdXQ4Iq

— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) July 11, 2021

The Italian team settled down after this start, and gradually succeeded in silencing the raucous English fans, and ended the first half stronger without exerting himself.

At the start of the second half, Mancini took the initiative, inserting Brian Cristante in place of Nicolo Barella in the midfield and bringing forward Ciro Immobile to take part in Domenico Berardi.

Berardi played on the wing, while Lorenzo Insigne moved from the left to play a greater role in the center of the field, and this change contributed to Italy's control of the ball.

Cristante gave the new structure more physical presence and energy in the middle of the field, and this also helped the Italian team to seize the second balls.

How much advantage is Italy's style?

The numbers can be deceiving at times, but they were so certain in Sunday's game that there was no dispute over them.

🇮🇹 Chiesa made a single effort to shoot and threaten the English goal, his ball was just a few centimeters away from the England goal.

😮#Euro2020 |

#Italy_England pic.twitter.com/If9ijagb8e

— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) July 11, 2021

In total, Italy had 62% of possession, compared to England's 38% at Wembley.

The Italian team scored 20 attempts on goal, compared to 6 attempts for England, and completed 755 passes, compared to 341 for England.

Italy's name written in gold 🇹🇮🇹 #Euro2020 |

#Italy_England #EURO2020 |

#EuroFinal pic.twitter.com/W2WSeymvSL

— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) July 11, 2021

defensive prowess

Italy's defensive prowess is well known, and Giorgio Chiellini's backline lives up to this remarkable legacy, but the fact that England only hit the woodwork once - their second-minute goal - also demonstrates the superiority of the Italian defense structure and discipline.

Italian morning 🇮🇹🍕 Coronation Celebration!

🕺💪

💬 Does Bonucci and Chiellini win the title? #Euro 2020 |

#Italy pic.twitter.com/6bv2ILPINw

— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) July 12, 2021

Mancini was not afraid to replace key players later in the game to ensure the momentum continued, as a tired Insigne exited in the 90th minute and Marco Verratti left the field six minutes later to join Manuel Locatelli.

Southgate's substitutions or those he did not make will undoubtedly come under scrutiny, but suffice it to say that the England manager's style did not turn the game around for Mancini's side.

And there were less measurable qualities that Mancini instilled in his team, which were made abundantly clear again in Sunday's game, such as the audacity and determination they showed to overtake Spain in the semi-finals on penalties as well.

Mancini is the first Italian coach to lead the national team to the European title since Ferruccio Valcarigi in 1968, and he did so on the back of a 34-game unbeaten run.

"We have completed a full cycle," said Mancini, recalling Italy's transformation in three years.

But that trip may still have a rest at the World Cup in Qatar next year.