Italian
From dawn in Japan to the night in Miami, passing through Austin. Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Marco Bezzecchi, and Jannik Sinner. Three victories by Italian boys and a look at Gattuso’s National Team
An incredible Sunday for the blue colors. Andrea Kimi Antonelli at Suzuka wins his second consecutive Grand Prix. It has been since the mythical times of Ascari (in 1953) that an Italian has achieved this result. Moreover, at just 19 years, 7 months, and 4 days old, he rises to the top of the drivers’ standings, becoming the youngest to do so, furthermore dethroning Lewis Hamilton, who achieved it at the age of twenty-two.
Marco Bezzecchi winning in Austin enters the exclusive circle of riders in the premier class of Moto GP to triumph five times in a row (considering the last two races of the previous season) and consolidates his lead in the standings. Moreover, he holds the record of having completed all of them in first place from the first lap. Just to make a comparison, it has been since 2014 with Marc Márquez that a rider has won the first three races of the season.
Finally, Jannik Sinner wins in Miami and achieves the Sunshine Double. The Italian tennis player thus becomes the first athlete in history to complete the American 1000 double without losing a single set. Moreover, the South Tyrolean is now only 1190 points behind Carlos Alcaraz, with the possibility of returning to World Number 1 by the end of the next tournament in Monte Carlo.
To conclude the wonderful day, Sinner, as he did last week at Indian Wells, dedicates the victory to Kimi but not only that, this time he also adds the name of Bez and Italy.
The Italian men’s national football team is indeed expected tomorrow at the final step to finally return to a World Cup after 12 long years. The last World Cup image is indeed that of Chiellini showing his neck to the referee after the bite received from Luis Suarez during the match between Italy and Uruguay in Brazil. A long time ago, in fact.
An unimaginable result just a couple of years ago. Three young Italian guys dominating the rankings worldwide, to which we could add the various blue stars of athletics, swimming, volleyball, basketball, winter sports, rugby, baseball, and practically almost all sports.
And finally football, for years the driving and most followed sport of the Bel Paese. A breeding ground for champions, joys, and dreams. We have gone from having the most beautiful and competitive Championship in the World to one where the great veterans come to make the last scraps of their careers, somewhat like in the USA. The talented Azzurri mostly play in England, further impoverishing our Serie A where young players still struggle to find a place, except for rare exceptions.
And perhaps the biggest problem is precisely this. Coach Gattuso already in the last match won against Northern Ireland brought on young players Pio Esposito, Palestra, and Pisilli in the second half. No matter what happens, we must start again from the young and their dreams. World Cup or not.
