Thiago Motta says Italy must continue to think “one game at a time” after winning their Euro 2016 group.
The Azzurri were not highly-regarded going into the tournament in France, but have won both of their first two games without allowing a single shot on target.
“We really have to take it one game at a time, as we’ve done since we got here,” Motta cautioned, speaking to Corriere dello Sport.
Thiago Motta says Italy must continue to think “one game at a time” after winning their Euro 2016 group.
The Azzurri were not highly-regarded going into the tournament in France, but have won both of their first two games without allowing a single shot on target.
“We really have to take it one game at a time, as we’ve done since we got here,” Motta cautioned, speaking to Corriere dello Sport.
“The reality is that we’re not among the favourites, there are some teams who, on paper, were considered stronger than us before the tournament like France, Germany, Spain, and Belgium, who we beat.
“That’s why, luckily, there’s the pitch.
“Who is our ideal second round opponent? There isn’t one! We have a better chance of getting through, because we’re growing.
“But what I said before is still valid: one step at a time.”
Motta was given the number 10 shirt for the tournament, a controversial decision given Roberto Baggio, Alessandro Del Piero and Francesco Totti are among his predecessors.
“I feel good, as do all my teammates. After 33 years I understand how everything works, especially sporting criticism. I understand it and accept it.
“As with everyone, sometimes I’m good and at other times I’m bad. As a team sometimes we’ll express ourselves well, other times less so.
“All I ask is to talk about football and not be disrespectful, that’s the main thing.
“I’m thrilled to be part of this squad, in the knowledge that, at my age, this is one of my last opportunities to have the privilege of wearing the shirt of the Italian national team.
“I’ll try to take advantage of it with my teammates.
“We don’t have a Totti, a Baggio, an [Zlatan] Ibra[himovic] but we have good players who will sacrifice for the team and the Coach.”