Coach Antonio Conte's Italy is being showered with praise after the 2-0 win over Spain, including by Serie A's own tacticians.
On from the cheers of the injured or former Azzurri, the Gazzetta dello Sport also gathered some statements by the current strategists in the Italian league, and the response was overwhelmingly positive.
Coach Antonio Conte's Italy is being showered with praise after the 2-0 win over Spain, including by Serie A's own tacticians.
On from the cheers of the injured or former Azzurri, the Gazzetta dello Sport also gathered some statements by the current strategists in the Italian league, and the response was overwhelmingly positive.
“The spirit of this team is an extremely precious resource that turns out to be decisive every time,” said Edy Reja, former Coach of Atalanta. “The team is a perfectly accurate reflection of the Coach: determined, nasty and confident.
“In terms of organisation Italy are second to no-one. Conte did an extraordinary job, giving his team not just game but a soul.
“We know how to suffer and build, while playing with an incredible intensity. I've been saying this from the beginning, and I really believe it: Italy are among the top four in Europe.”
Former Udinese Coach Gigi De Canio corroborated Edy Reja's opinion.
“The win against Belgium did not surprise me, because I had a lot of faith in the quality of this team and in Conte's work.
“But against Spain, Italy's performance was even better. They showed more than just running, sacrifice, intensity and tactical perfection. They also knew how to attack Spain and overwhelm them in every area of the pitch, creating many opportunities.”