Antonio Conte says his Italy will be “dangerous outsiders” at Euro 2016 this summer.
The Azzurri won their qualifying group for this summer’s tournament in France, and have been drawn in a group with Belgium, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland.
“Let’s just say we have ambitions,” Conte told 1904 magazine.
“It doesn’t matter to me if we’re one of the favourites or not. Maybe we’ll just be dangerous outsiders in France.
Antonio Conte says his Italy will be “dangerous outsiders” at Euro 2016 this summer.
The Azzurri won their qualifying group for this summer’s tournament in France, and have been drawn in a group with Belgium, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland.
“Let’s just say we have ambitions,” Conte told 1904 magazine.
“It doesn’t matter to me if we’re one of the favourites or not. Maybe we’ll just be dangerous outsiders in France.
“The main thing is to prepare for the European Championships as well as we can. If all goes to plan we’ll play seven matches, so it would be a case of doing our best seven times.
“You have to get a lot right to win a tournament.”
The tournament will be Conte’s first as an international Coach, and he admits he’ll be asking some of his mentors for advice.
“I was part of the national team for six years, in which time we reached a major tournament final twice [World Cup ’94 and Euro 2000].
“So you learn something from that. But I’ll certainly ask for some advice from one or two Coaches before the European Championships.
“As a player I was fortunate to be able to learn from good Coaches. Marcello Lippi, Giovanni Trapattoni, Carlo Ancelotti… so it’s certainly worth making a few calls.
“I’ll combine the advice I receive with my own ideas. I want to become a complete Coach, so it’s important that I also put my own ideas into practice.
“I always compare my work as Coach to that of a tailor, who makes a suit out of the material available to him. He can only do what the material allows him to do.
“The work of a Coach is quite similar. If a Coach wants to impose a complicated system on a team that’s too weak, he’ll probably fail.
“So my view is basically that you have to adapt to the circumstances. Of course, the manner in which you get your message across is key to success.
“My players know I value disciple and decency. Mutual respect is also important to me. If all that’s in place, you have a good foundation.”
The CT was then asked whether those kind of values are harder to instil in today’s players.
“The internet and social media have changed many things, and not always for the better,” Conte lamented.
“We also used to be proud to see ourselves on television, but we had a different connection to reality.
“In this age of smartphones and computers, young players can have their heads turned by the slightest taste of success.
“They score a goal and half an hour alter they’re watching a replay of it on their mobile phone in the dressing room. They play well in a couple of games and think they’ve made it.
“That’s a long way from reality. It’s not easy to reach those players with words.
“I obviously only see the players now and again. It was easier when I was Juventus Coach. I think that club Coaches and national team Coaches both have a role to play.
“A player has to be motivated by his passion for and love of football. If he isn’t, he’ll find it hard to have a successful career in football.”