Leonardo Bonucci feels Italy ‘dominated the game’ against Belgium and can keep their UEFA EURO 2020 dream alive for the semi-final with Spain.
Nicolò Barella and Lorenzo Insigne had put the Azzurri 2-0 up in Munich for this quarter-final, but Romelu Lukaku’s penalty kept it open to the end.
“We knew Belgium’s quality, especially in attack and the danger they posed to us on the counter,” Bonucci told RAI Sport.
“We went 2-0 up and were dominating the game, then they got back into it with a dubious penalty, we did really well to hold on and showed once again how important the heart of this Italy side and of the Italians is.”
Bonucci had also seen an early goal disallowed for offside.
The semi-final is against Spain at Wembley Stadium in London on Tuesday evening, as La Roja struggled to get the better of Croatia in extra time and 10-man Switzerland on penalties.
“Now we can keep dreaming with our feet on the ground. Spain are a great team, but we started this tournament with a dream in our hearts, let’s keep it there until the end,” continued Bonucci.
“There are two matches to go, the most difficult will be against Spain, who play similar to Belgium. They again looked as if they might not make it, but they got back on their feet, so it’ll be a battle to the end.”
There was one huge negative, as Leonardo Spinazzola was stretchered off in tears with what seems to be a hamstring tear.
“Leonardo had a great Euros, whoever replaces him will do just as well.”