It is rare that an injury to a full back would dominate a build-up to a European Championship semi-final, but that is exactly what Leonardo Spinazzola's absence has done in Italy, piling the pressure on the man who has to fill his popular boots.
As Italy have stormed to the last four of Euro 2020, where they will face Spain on Tuesday at Wembley, winning five out of five matches as they stretched their unbeaten run to a record 32 games, there have been several standout players.
Centre backs Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini have provided a solid foundation, Jorginho a calming presence in midfield alongside Nicolo Barella, who has added flair, while Lorenzo Insigne has posed the goal threat.
But arguably the Azzurri's best player, with two Euro 2020 man of the match awards, has been left back Spinazzola, whose form has created an outpouring of emotion given he will miss Tuesday's semi-final due to a serious Achilles tendon injury.
Emerson, who replaced the stricken Spinazzola against Belgium, is widely expected to fulfil the role many thought was destined to be his pre-tournament, having started two of Italy's three World Cup qualifiers in recent months.
A left back could normally come into a team relatively unnoticed, but given that much of Italy's attacking threat has come down the left, with Spinazzola and Insigne linking up brilliantly, all eyes will be on Emerson to see if he steps up.
Stepping into Spinazzola's popular shoes will be no easy task, especially when the man expected to deputise was supposed to be Mancini's first-choice left back for the tournament.
It represents not just an opportunity for Emerson to make a difference for his country, but also to attract potential club suitors given that the 26-year-old has been unable to break into the first team at Premier League side Chelsea.
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