The FIGC President Gabriele Gravina said the ‘absolute harmony’ in the Italy squad ‘is our strength’ and praised the youngsters stepping up at the Euros.
Italy are breaking records at Euro 2020, going 30 games unbeaten for the first time since the 1930s and going more than 1000 minutes without conceding.
Roberto Mancini’s men have never done better at this point in the European Championship, with seven goals, nine points and three clean sheets in Group A.
“We have always said, from the very first moment, that we needed to bring the national team closer to the Italians, and today the Italians are getting closer to this national team,” Gravina told Sky Sport Italia.
“They are popular in a good way. Even yesterday these guys, independently, felt the need to go out and see the fans.
“To see these lads walking through Villa Borghese with two wings of fans to encourage them is another good advert for our country.”
Gravina said the Azzurri have ‘invested a lot of energy and time’ to make the people enthusiastic about the Nazionale.
“We are a unique team, extraordinary in terms of enhancing feelings,” Gravina continued. “We have invested a lot of energy and time in this aspect.
“The national team can awaken the pride and involve the whole of this country while remaining a big family.”
The youngsters have made an impact on the Azzurri at Euro 2020 this summer, with Manuel Locatelli’s brace against Switzerland and Matteo Pessina scoring the winner against Wales.
“I think we are on the right path,” he said. “I think that Italy has great talents, and these must be exploited to the fullest in order to make them champions.
“We must have faith in them, and the clubs must draw an example from our experience. Investing in the youth sector is one of the most important ways to find an asset at home, which is also a solution to economic problems.”
Italy have used 25 of 26 players in the Euro 2020 squad and Gravina stressed it highlights the ‘absolute harmony’ in the current crop.
“Apart from [Alex] Meret, all the players called up has played in the Finals. It’s a demonstration of great availability and a further record, the result of absolute harmony.
“We want to keep this balance unchanged, it’s our strength.”