Gabriele Oriali believes the current Italy side has the same mentality as the 1982 World Cup winning squad. “Antonio Conte is more than a motivator.”
The Azzurri overcame the odds to beat Belgium and Spain, preparing for Saturday’s quarter-final against Germany.
“At the time everyone was sceptical about us too, then we didn’t play very well in the group phase and got through with three draws,” current Italy team manager Oriali told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Gabriele Oriali believes the current Italy side has the same mentality as the 1982 World Cup winning squad. “Antonio Conte is more than a motivator.”
The Azzurri overcame the odds to beat Belgium and Spain, preparing for Saturday’s quarter-final against Germany.
“At the time everyone was sceptical about us too, then we didn’t play very well in the group phase and got through with three draws,” current Italy team manager Oriali told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“We were to face Argentina and Brazil next, so I remember telling my wife to book a seaside vacation the day after… Instead, as often happens in football, a side that is inferior on paper can achieve something impossible because it plays as a team. That’s what happened to us in 1982.
“The growth this side has had over the past two years also reminds me of that Italy, because we were a group and then we became a team.
“Working together you can win and overcome obstacles that might seem impossible, as we proved in the past.
“This campaign isn’t a surprise for me and the Coach, because we were aware and fully convinced, staying with the players every day and seeing how they worked. We knew it would be difficult for any opponent to face us.
“We are happy to have so far won by playing good football, deserving our victories and that is something people rather underestimate.
“Our 12th man on the pitch is Conte, who is not just a great motivator, but someone who teaches football. Many of the players who have been with us improved and it’s right to recognise that.”
Conte was criticised before the tournament for his choices, but Oriali explains his thinking.
“The players were picked ad hoc, considering the results over the past two years. They have understood the ideas that our Coach has in terms of organisation and are putting it all into practice.
“Is Conte like Enzo Bearzot in 1982? They are different Coaches, but if you achieve what you’re doing now, it means there is a symbiosis between the team and Coach that allows you to overcome unthinkable obstacles.
“As you can see now, the players step on to the field fully aware of what it is they need to do.”