Francesco Acerbi didn’t ‘even have a second of warm-up’ when replacing injured Giorgio Chiellini, while he explains why Italy can go far at Euro 2020.
The Azzurri registered a second consecutive 3-0 win, sweeping Switzerland aside after Turkey.
There was an inauspicious start when Chiellini saw a goal disallowed for handball, then went off injured.
“I didn’t even have a second of warm-up. I saw Chiellini seemed fine and then all of a sudden he took off his armband and needed to come off,” Acerbi told RAI Sport.
“This is what happens with a tournament after a long season, there is fatigue, you have to be always ready when called upon.
“We’ve always said it doesn’t matter who plays, we all give our contribution and keep the same team identity.”
This was Italy’s 10th consecutive victory with 10 clean sheets.
“I am interested in the wins, then if we concede or not is irrelevant, as long as we keep winning,” said the Lazio defender.
“We try to attack and defend as a team, that’s why we score many goals and concede so few. It’s been going well so far!
“There might be three or four sides in the tournament who have better talents or individuals, but I said before the competition started that there was something in the air with this group. I think we can go far.”