Leonardo Bonucci reveals Italy have not yet decided whether to take the knee, but Austria are ‘a step above’ the other opponents they’ve faced at Euro 2020.
The Round of 16 kicks off at Wembley Stadium on Saturday at 20.00 UK time.
The build-up has been dominated by the debate over whether Italy players will join Austria in taking the knee before kick-off, after only five kneeled in the Wales match and others seemed confused as to whether they should join in or not.
It was reported that the Azzurri had decided as a group not to take the knee, but Bonucci revealed that is not true.
“When we get back to the hotel, we’ll have a team meeting and will make a decision together as a group on what to do tomorrow. We should’ve done that before Wales, too,” said Bonucci in his press conference.
“We’ll discuss it if everyone wants to make this anti-racism gesture.”
However, the Italian spokesman at the conference also confirmed reports that Austria have not requested a moment for the Black Lives Matter protest before kick-off, so the entire debate could be irrelevant.
“It’s a very important game against a side that is tough to face, but there’s a good atmosphere in the locker room and that’s the most important thing.
“We have the utmost respect for Austria, as they have quality, freshness and physicality to give us a good game. We’re prepared and ready to play our football.
“We never said that we felt superior to anyone, just that we were confident that we were on the right track with coach Roberto Mancini, but that if we lower our focus, concentration and aggression for a moment, we become a ‘normal’ team.
“As we said, the fundamental is the group, we are greater than the sum of our parts. I saw the faces of the players very aware of what we are fighting for, and ready to give their all for us, for the staff and all those who love Italy.
“There are some games where you should play ugly and focus on determination. We’ve done that, we set up a siege wall in front of our penalty area. It’s about having both approaches available and choosing the right one in each moment.”
This is the first knockout match for Italy after winning all three group games with clean sheets.
“Details will make the difference, so we need to focus on every tiny element, because those will swing the tie one way or another.
“In the way they play, Austria are honestly the most difficult opponent we’ve faced in the tournament so far. They have a very ‘German’ approach, they press high and go to win back the ball straight away, so they are a step above the teams we’ve played so far at the Euros.”
Bonucci was at the press conference as captain, because Giorgio Chiellini is not 100 per cent fit and unlikely to start tomorrow.
“The important thing is that when we wear this jersey, we all fight for the Azzurri and that is all. If in a month’s time people go back to hating me, that’s something I’ve always lived with in my career.”