Corriere della Sera has helpfully updated its graphic for any of its readers who might be struggling with the concept of an interception.
Re the delay in intercepting the Boeing, and while I'm apparently in picky mode
, the Eurofighters are reported to have deployed from Istrana/Treviso, which is nowhere near any of Italy's three main EFA bases (Grosseto/Gioia del Colle/Trapani), so that may partly account (TDY/refuelling?) for what otherwise appears to have been a rather uncoordinated mission.