Italy CT Roberto Mancini said ‘winning the European Championship seemed impossible three years ago’ and said Gianluca Vialli ‘is much stronger than me’.
The Azzurri coach spoke to Verissimo about the memories created over the summer with the national team.
Mancini guided Italy to the top at EURO 2020 and stressed it seemed like an impossible feat only three years ago.
“In my football career, I have experienced many beautiful and victorious moments, but this has represented something different,” Mancini said. “Because we had all of Italy cheering for us.
“It was extraordinary and the thing that pleased us most was the fact that it made everyone happy. Few believed it, when I started three years ago, it seemed impossible.
“I have to say thanks to the lads for what they did.”
The hug with assistant Vialli after winning the Final become one of the most significant memories of the Azzurri adventure.
Vialli was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2017 and stressed during an interview in June that he ‘could not battle’ the disease and hopes the illness will one day ‘get tired and go away’.
Mancini said the former striker has been doing better due to football and pointed at Vialli’s strength.
“He’s fine, he’s in shape and we still need to do many things together,” Mancini said. “He’s strong, much stronger than me.
“I believe that being together and thinking about football, which has always been our job, has made him feel good.
“He’s a strong and intelligent guy, he has always been an example and a point of reference for all of us.”