As we promised prior to the tournament’s kickoff, Euro 2020 will witness the rise of some of the young hidden gems in Serie A to the continental stage.
Whilst the likes of Mikkel Damsgaard and Leonardo Spinazzola succeeded in creating some buzz around their names after some solid displays in the group stage, it was the usual suspects who ended up stealing the headlines.
So let’s find out who were so far the best five performers from Serie A in the competition before the beginning of the knockout fixtures.
Honorable Mention: Christian Eriksen (Denmark/Inter)
The Inter midfielder only featured during Denmark’s opening fixture against Finland, but his shocking collapse to the ground remains by far the tournament’s most dramatic moment.
Despite suffering from a heart attack, the world breathed a huge sigh of relief once learning that Christian regained his consciousness and is in a stable condition.
Although we may never see the Danish star on a football pitch once again, the compassion that he received from the entire planet will forever make him standout story of the tournament.
BREAKING: Christian Eriksen has been discharged from hospital after a successful operation—and he was able to visit his teammates at their training ground ? pic.twitter.com/E7txJi3LgI
— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 18, 2021
5- Matthijs de Ligt (Netherlands/Juventus)
Despite receiving some criticism from Milan legend Marco Van Basten, the defender has been a fine representative for Serie A at Euro 2020.
The Bianconeri youngster missed the opening fixture against Ukraine with an injury where the Dutch conceded two avoidable goals. But since his return, Frank De Boer’s men have kept a clean sheet in two matches.
The former Ajax captain is slowly but surely cementing himself as one of the best defenders in the world.
L’équipe type @WhoScored des phases de poules de l’EURO avec de Ligt #NED et Ronaldo #POR . #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/DFmMoZZ4yO
— Juventus FR (@Juve_France) June 24, 2021
4- Manuel Locatelli (Italy/Sassuolo)
From a Juventus player, to man heavily linked with a move towards Turin. The midfielder had a decent if unspectacular performance against Turkey in the tournament’s opener, and was left on the bench to do a bandage battle with Barella during the clash with Wales
Nonetheless, between those two encounters, the Sassuolo star put up a thrilling display against Switzerland, leading the Azzurri towards a comfortable victory with a marvelous brace.
Milan are surely regretting letting this one go.
Top performer: Manuel Locatelli!
? With two goals, 94% passing accuracy and six tackles, Manuel Locatelli's match-winning display for Italy against Switzerland was one of the standout statistical displays of Matchday 2 ?@FedExEurope | #EUROPZ | #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/Yr88ikWJFh
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 20, 2021
3- Robin Gosens (Germany/Atalanta)
Germany might have struggled to reach the knockout stages as they were pitted in the ultimate Euro 2020 group of death, but at least Joachim Low found himself a new pillar from Serie A.
The Atalanta wingback has been one of Gian Piero Gasperini’s favorite soldiers, and has now become a recognizable name in his home nation following his superb display against Portugal – where he scored a goal and created another.
Three points, two assists, one goal ? A star performance from Germany's marauding wing-back Robin Gosens ?@Heineken | #EUROSOTM | #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/AzTzHlIHZQ
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 19, 2021
2- Cristiano Ronaldo (Portgual/Juventus)
It wouldn’t be a tournament without Cristiano Ronaldo breaking some new records. In his fifth appearance, the Juventus superstar only needed a goal to become the all time top-scorer of the European championships, but instead of one, he has so far scored five in his first three matches.
Although three of his goals came from the spot, the 36-year-old is once again acting as the supreme leader for Portugal, dragging his national team towards the next stage.
?? Cristiano Ronaldo ? milestones:
? Equalled world record for international goals (109)
? All-time top scorer in EURO history (14)#UCL pic.twitter.com/JQVzZvHf5c— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) June 23, 2021
1- Romelu Lukaku (Belgium/Inter)
Similar to Serie A, Ronaldo has been the top scorer in the competition, but Lukaku might just be the MVP of Euro 2020 so far.
The Inter striker has led the Red Devils towards the knockout stages with a perfect record, and has been an unstoppable force of nature with three goals in three appearances.
Fittingly, the former Everton man will take on CR7 in the round of 16, and this battle could determine who’s the ultimate Serie A star in Euro 2020.
Romelu Lukaku became the 6th player all-time to have scored 5+ goals at both EURO and the World Cup. He joins:
Cristiano Ronaldo
Michel Platini
Thierry Henry
Zinedine Zidane
Jurgen Klinsmann pic.twitter.com/wpKPHHySxJ— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 21, 2021