Matteo Pessina said he ‘always felt part of this group’ despite his last-minute call-up to the Italy squad ahead of Euro 2020.
Italy CT Roberto Mancini asked Pessina to replace injured Inter midfielder Stefano Sensi and the Atalanta player has been decisive with his two match-winning goals against Wales and Austria.
Pessina has played an important part in the Azzurri’s road to the quarter-finals of the Euros this summer and the 24-year-old spoke about his experience ahead of the clash with Belgium on Friday.
“I started as the 27th, but I didn’t think too much about it,” Pessina said at a press conference. “I stayed here for the first few days, the coach had asked me the courtesy to stay and see how things went.
“Then Stefano suffered an injury and I came back on the list. I always felt part of the group from the first call, it’s the great thing about this group. Mancini makes us all feel important.”
Pessina started against Wales, but was back on the bench against Austria, when he entered off the bench to score the winner in extra time.
Reports in Italy claim the Orobici star has given Mancini some headache ahead of the big game in Munich, as he’s pushing for a place in the starting line-up.
“We are always ready, you have seen that,” Pessina said. “When I was called, I replied by being present.
“The coach always sends out the team that is strongest in that moment and to face the opponents we have in front of us. But he knows that someone can give more even by not starting, you can see Mancini’s experience.
“How he holds the group united, we all feel like starts, even those who have played less. The coach will make the decisions and I’ll be ready.”