Italy icon Marco Tardelli says Italy can win Euro 2016 and singles out Manuele Giaccherini as his successor.
The hero of the 1982 World Cup final against Germany is familiar with many elements of the current Azzurri squad, including Coach Antonio Conte.
“He is a man who cares about what he does,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “He works morally, with honesty. He thinks of his players as men before thinking of them as footballers. He's a perfectionist and looks at those details that make a difference.
Italy icon Marco Tardelli says Italy can win Euro 2016 and singles out Manuele Giaccherini as his successor.
The hero of the 1982 World Cup final against Germany is familiar with many elements of the current Azzurri squad, including Coach Antonio Conte.
“He is a man who cares about what he does,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “He works morally, with honesty. He thinks of his players as men before thinking of them as footballers. He's a perfectionist and looks at those details that make a difference.
“I don't think that accepting Chelsea's offer compromises his work, nor did Conte ever look for such excuses. It might only have been used as an excuse if the players did not trust him, but I'd say this isn't a problem.
“I wouldn't be surprised to see him celebrating in July. Why not? The Euros are different from a World Cup. History teaches us that surprises are allowed, and Italy would be just that. In the World Cup, by contrast, only the favourites tend to win.
“Besides, I haven't seen any super-opponent so far. Spain are the only team that showed something solid, the others all had some trouble.
“The Spaniards are the favourites for me alongside France, who play at home. That counts for something.”
Tardelli was then asked about possible parallels between the current Italy squad and the won that conquered the World Cup in 1982.
“We were both very compact, rowing all in the same direction and believing in the Coach as well as in our qualities.
“We were sure that we were an excellent team and that [Coach Enzo] Bearzot would never have betrayed us. I expect they think in the same way, about themselves and about Conte.
“Players who have my levels of enthusiasm? Certainly [Gianluigi] Buffon, who shouts off the pitch too.
“But I'll also give a nod to [Manuele] Giaccherini, a player who can still improve very much. He built his career not only on his football talent, but on his drive, his humility and his patience. Including the patience before criticisms. I had a similar experience, maybe that's why I like him.”