Gianluigi Donnarumma says Italy are ‘where we deserve to be’ as the reigning European Champions after securing their ticket to EURO 2024.
The Azzurri got the point they needed against Ukraine this evening in Leverkusen to secure qualification, thanks to a superior head-to-head record.
It was a tough slog on neutral turf in Leverkusen, especially in stoppages when Bryan Cristante appeared to trip Mykhaylo Mudryk, but the referee and VAR waved play on.
“We are very happy, we are where we deserve to be, albeit with all the difficulties we had. Thanks also to the new coach and staff, we are back,” Donnarumma told RAI Sport.
“It’s only right that we are there, because we are the trophy holders, and we want to win it again.”
Italy won EURO 2020, even though it was played in the summer of 2021 due to the pandemic, under previous coach Roberto Mancini, who resigned to take over the Saudi Arabia role in August.
“There was so much pride, we thank all these fans, they gave us an incredible hand to defend in the final minutes, they can’t know the help they gave us. Now we celebrate, we are there too.”
The draw for the group phase will be held on December 2 and this result means Italy will be in Pot 4.
I AM HAPPY ITALY HAVE QUALIFYED AND GET THE CHANCE TO DEFEND THE TROPHY, BUT WE NEED TO IMPROVE AS A TEAM OR WE WILL NOT GET VERY FAR IN NEXT YEARS TOURNAMENT.WE HAVE A YEAR TO BUILD A SIDE THAT CAN DO WELL NEXT YEAR. WE ARE NOT ONE OF BIGS GUNS TO WIN IT, IN MY VIEW , BUT WE ARE SIDE THAT HAS SURPRISED PEOPLE IN WINNING TWO WORLD CUPS IN 1982 AND 2006, PLUS THE LAST EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS, SO I WOULD NOT TOTALLY WRITE US OFF. FORZA ITALIA.
plying like this not one goal all posesion portugal france spain germany england etc we will leave early
No, you don’t belong in the Euros.
We are European champions whether people like it or not. We won Euro 2020 as the best team in the tournament. We struggled afterwards and we are rebuilding for the future