Italian middlegames you actually get

Plans after the first developing moves — without drowning in twenty-move theory.

The Italian is a teaching opening: development, king safety, and classic pawn breaks. Most players stall because they memorize moves without plans.

Know the first developing moves, the fight for the center, and one middlegame idea (c3–d4 or a calm piece-improvement plan). Then review your own Italian games so you know where you left the book on purpose.

Pair repertoire work with post-game Review. Opening drills should return the structures you actually reach — not an encyclopedia of sidelines you’ll never see.