Harry Kane admits Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci are ‘up there’ among the best defenders in the world, but England aren’t ‘too nice’ to beat Italy.
The UEFA EURO 2020 Final kicks off on Sunday at 20.00 UK time.
Kane will start upfront with Raheem Sterling and either Jadon Sancho or Bukayo Saka at Wembley Stadium, facing Juventus veterans Chiellini and Bonucci.
“Of course they are two amazing defenders, they’ve had great experience over their careers,” said Kane in his press conference.
“I’ve played against them before, as a striker I want to play against the best defenders in the world and those two are up there.
“It’s England vs. Italy, we have great belief in the team and strength in the squad. There are many things that can happen in the Final and we want to make sure we’re on the right side of it.”
The Tottenham Hotspur striker laughed off suggestions the England team are too ‘nice’ to win the trophy.
“I don’t think so, that’s the personality of the players, they are humble. We have a real determination to win. So I feel like in modern football there aren’t so many mind games. We have a real focus and vision of where we want to be, without that we wouldn’t be in the situation we are in.”
England are in their first major Final since 1966, having come close by reaching the semi-final of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, but have also never won the European Championship before.
“We’ve been knocking down barriers along the way, but we started this tournament aiming to win it and we have that opportunity tomorrow night.
“To see the fans and the reception we’ve had, it shows us how big of an occasion it is. Obviously, in Russia we were in our own bubble and saw videos of back home, but didn’t experience it ourselves. We know how much it means to English fans all over the country and hope to do them proud again tomorrow night.”
Kane is in the running for the Golden Boot at the Euros, having scored four goals so far in the tournament, one adrift of Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo.