Italy’s secret weapon is former banker Gianni Vio who has created 4,830 set-piece routines for Euro 2020
WHEN Lorenzo Insigne is standing over a free-kick for Italy against Belgium on Friday night, he could dip into over 4,000 different ways to hurt the opposition.
The Italians have dazzled football fans with their quick, incisive attacking play this year at the Euros.
But it’s not just a passing game they’ve excelled at. From dead balls Roberto Mancini’s side have proved to be just as dangerous.
Prime example, Matteo Pessina’s strike against Wales from a well-rehearsed free-kick with two stars standing in an offside position to confuse the Dragons’ backline.
All these routines come from the mind of Gianni Vio, who reportedly has 4,830 to call upon and harm their rivals.
Over the years he has helped clubs including Leeds United, Brentford and AC Milan improve their set-pieces.
Not bad from the former banker, 66, who has given the Azzuri a different dimension.
HIS THESIS
When Vio was completing his coaching badges, he wrote a thesis called Set pieces: the 15-goal striker, which later influenced the book That Extra 30 Per Cent. This was while juggling a job as a clerk at Unicredit in Venice.
The work was inspired by his time at Serie D outfit Il Quinto di Treviso, and in particular, two twins that used to play for him.
Vio strategically encouraged the brothers, who no one could tell apart, to stand facing the goalkeeper when they had free-kicks and just stare into their eyes.
Not only did that unnerve defenders, who couldn’t decide which one was their man, it also freaked out keepers.
But it was an instance of how Vio tailors his ideas – using the players at his disposal, as well as psychology.
“All I’ll say is you need to analyse the players that you have and find solutions tailor-made to their skill set,” he told a Venetian newspaper, although he keeps his secrets close to his chest.
“There are players whose reading of the game is special. At the highest level, Sergio Ramos comes to mind.
“Wherever you put the ball, you can bet he’ll find a way to get on the end of it. Timing is the most important thing when it comes to finishing off a set piece.”
WORKING WITH ZENGA
In 2005 Walter Zenga became boss of Serbian side Red Star Belgrade, when Vio’s book, co-authored by psychologist Alessandro Tettamanzi, landed on his desk.
It’s title That Extra 30 Per Cent is Vio’s belief of a percentage of how much set-pieces can improve a team. “It’s like having another striker,” he romantically revealed.
The legendary Italian goalkeeper devoured the book and contacted its author, swapping ideas.
Eventually, Zenga would score a job at Al-Ain, where he welcomed Vio to the United Arab Emirates to give his players a 20-day training clinic on set-pieces.
Then, when the ex-Inter Milan shotstopper was offered the post at then-Serie A club Catania he insisted Vio was hired as a set-piece specialist.
As Zenga eloquently told The Athletic: “Only a nutter like me would ask for someone who worked in a bank and coached in non-League to be with me when I got my first job in Serie A.
“Gianni used to fly down on Thursdays and leave on a Sunday. It was madness.”
Astonishingly, Zenga’s masterstroke was a success. 17 of Catania’s 44 goals were scored from set-plays in a campaign that saw them escape relegation. Vio might as well have been playing upfront.
HELPING ITALY’S CAUSE
Perfectionist Mancini reached out to Vio last year – recognising the importance of set-pieces.
“I was contacted directly by Mancini,” he said.
“We met up in Bologna, had a chat and shook hands. I started working (with the national team) last September.”
The fruits of Vio’s labour were clear to see in the Nations League game last September against Bosnia & Herzegovina.
As Insigne eyed up the free kick, Italy’s stars formed two walls behind the opposition’s wall.
Most read in Football
Then, they walked back to an onside position, further bamboozling Bosnia’s players.
“Mancini knows this is a short, seven-game tournament and set pieces can help decide it,” Zenga said.
And if they do, and it brings the Euros back to Italy for the first time since 1968, it’ll be thanks to a former banker.