Gianluigi Donnarumma insists Italy boosted their ‘confidence and motivation’ getting through a tricky EURO 2024 group to set up the Round of 16 against Switzerland. ‘We can go all the way.’
It kicks off in Berlin on Saturday at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT).
This is the same arena where Italy won the 2006 World Cup Final, beating France on penalties, and naturally it brings back so many fond memories for supporters of the Nazionale.
That is especially true for Gigi Buffon, who is part of the staff now as a team manager, while Donnarumma was seven at the time.
“Buffon talked to us about it, you could see the emotion in his eyes,” the Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper told Sky Sport Italia.
“Tomorrow will be a great challenge in an important tournament. We must be positive, have the right mentality and give 110 per cent.”
Donnarumma sees Italy shift to a new level
Mattia Zaccagni scored the equaliser against Croatia at the 98th minute, with seven seconds left on the clock, so has that incredible moment been a shift for the Nazionale in this competition?
“Certainly, we are ready for tomorrow. We need to whittle down a few things that we could’ve done better in the group phase, but we are ready to give our best,” added Donnarumma.
Have Italy changed for the positive or negative since starting their training camp together just under a month ago?
“There is more awareness of our capabilities. We had a very difficult group, everyone thought we were done for, but we gave it our all and got through. That boosts our confidence and motivation, once you are in the Round of 16, you can go all the way.
“The adrenaline will be pumping, we know millions of Italians are behind us and that gives us an extra push going forward.”