Austria striker Marko Arnautovic insists he is ‘not scared’ of Italy defenders Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci ahead of their Euro 2020 showdown.
The Round of 16 tie kicks off on Saturday at 20.00 UK time at Wembley Stadium in London.
“People might make it seem bad when they say that Italy have kept 11 consecutive clean sheets, but that shouldn’t matter to us. We have to play our football,” Arnautovic told Sky Sport Italia.
“We are facing an exceptional team, world class, you just have to look at where their players are at club level. The coach Roberto Mancini is also world class.
“The statistics of the Italy side say it all, but this is just one match, it lasts 90 minutes and we mustn’t be afraid.”
Chiellini may well be out injured, or at least not in the starting XI, so Francesco Acerbi is expected to partner Bonucci.
“What Chiellini and Bonucci achieved together and how long they’ve been playing as a unit is incredible,” added Arnautovic.
“I can only say that I am not scared. This is a very, very important match, it doesn’t matter if you are 20, 25 or 32 years old.
“Being in the last 16 of a tournament like this is truly a big deal for Austria.”
The striker is expected to be in Serie A next season, as he is on the verge of a move to Bologna.