Allegri’s return makes Juve the team to beat again

As thousands lined the streets of Rome on the day after Italy’s win in the Euro 2020 final to applaud their returning heroes, it was tempting not to recall the “Triumphus” (Roman Triumph) once held by the Emperors of Ancient Rome on their return from a successful foreign campaign.

With both state president Sergio Mattarella and prime minister Mario Draghi holding enthusiastic state receptions for the team, it was absolutely clear that no one was underestimating the importance of the moment. Socially, culturally, economically and, of course in strict football terms, this was a terrific post-COVID triumph that Italy badly needed.

Starved of meaningful international success for the last11 years (since Jose Mourinho’s Inter won the 2010 Champions League), once dominant Italian football has had to eat industrial quantities of humble pie in a world