Domenico Berardi recalls winning EURO 2020 with the Italy national team and his first penalty kick against England: ‘I didn’t listen to boos, it was just noise.’
The 30-year-old has recently returned to action after recovering from an Achilles tendon injury sustained during the 2023-24 campaign.
Berardi remained out of action for seven months and is now playing in Serie B with the Neroverdi, who were relegated last season.
The Italian winger was a key member of the Azzurri team that won the 2020 Euros, beating England on penalties in the Final at Wembley Stadium.
Berardi: England boos ‘just noise’ during Italy’s Euro Final at Wembley
Berardi showed up for the first spot-kick in the shoot-out and didn’t miss his chance.
“It was a special moment. I decided to be the first, creating a bubble where I felt confident inside me,” he told Gazzetta.
“The whole stadium was white, I heard the boos, but I didn’t listen to them. It was just noise.”
Berardi hopes to return to Italy’s national team in the coming months if he stays in good shape.
“Of course, I’d be proud because I’ve remained out of the team due to my injury. Now I am back, but I work to be Berardi again before deserving the national team,” he said.
During the same interview, Berardi admitted that he’ll leave Sassuolo in the January transfer window if an adequate offer arrives and if he fully recovers from his injury.
The talented right winger is among the top-five Serie A scorers since 2013, when he made his debut in Italy’s top flight.