Antonio Conte assured “Italy are not sacrificial lambs. If Spain want to continue at Euro 2016, they have to earn it.”
The Round of 16 kicks off on Monday at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT) at the Stade de France in Paris.
“The lads are in good shape, I know they are extraordinary and prepared to play all our cards in what is an uphill struggle. We want to have our say and I am convinced we’ll do it tomorrow too,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
Antonio Conte assured “Italy are not sacrificial lambs. If Spain want to continue at Euro 2016, they have to earn it.”
The Round of 16 kicks off on Monday at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT) at the Stade de France in Paris.
“The lads are in good shape, I know they are extraordinary and prepared to play all our cards in what is an uphill struggle. We want to have our say and I am convinced we’ll do it tomorrow too,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
“Nothing is impossible, otherwise it’d be too easy and you’d take away the spice of uncertainty in football and life. You’d take away the desire to work, prepare and fight to overcome the odds in a seemingly unbalanced encounter.
“I don’t want to go home tomorrow and neither do my players. We are not here to be Spain’s sacrificial lambs. We will be the first to congratulate Spain if they qualify, but they’ve got to earn it first.”
Much has been made of the fact Spain traditionally struggle against a three-man defence.
“I think systems are numbers, but then a Coach has to mould them to the characteristics of his players. I think it is important to study teams, understand their strengths and weaknesses, using every weapon in the armoury to hurt them.”
Conte will leave the Azzurri after this tournament to begin work at Chelsea.
“When I became Coach of the Italy side, I quickly realised the pros and cons of our current football movement, which could well continue in the years to come.
“I knew it was not an easy situation, but also that this type of situation gets the best out of me, as I love a challenge. I accepted without thinking it could be positive or negative. I took the chance and have been able to count on these lads giving me everything over the last two years.
“I have to thank them, as they prove their love for the shirt, hunger, determination, passion and desire to overcome the highest obstacles. That is what matters to me.”