Italy are 'tough luck for any opponent', says Christian Vieri, who also praises the BBC defence and 'madman' Gianluigi Buffon.
The trio of Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini is doing a fantastic job of defending the Azzurri's goal, and even the hosts France are reportedly impressed.
“They respect us very much,” Vieri assured La Gazzetta dello Sport. “Around the world, people feel the weight of our four World Cups.
Italy are 'tough luck for any opponent', says Christian Vieri, who also praises the BBC defence and 'madman' Gianluigi Buffon.
The trio of Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini is doing a fantastic job of defending the Azzurri's goal, and even the hosts France are reportedly impressed.
“They respect us very much,” Vieri assured La Gazzetta dello Sport. “Around the world, people feel the weight of our four World Cups.
“We're always up there. These tournaments are our natural environment, we're used to handling pressure and defending very well. That's how you win these cups.
“[France Coach Didier] Deschamps knows that better than anyone, because he played for Juventus, and side by side with Conte too.
“In Italy you spend hours on the grounds practicing tactics and preparing the games. Our football remains victorious, it denies spaces and heaps up pressure.
“Having said that, France are a super team this year, one of the great favourites. And they are guided by a Coach forged in the Italian school.
“I'd like to see them a little more concrete in the decisive moments, but in general we're talking about some phenomenal players. Nowadays victories are made out of stamina, physical strength, good organisation and the utmost focus.
“Tiki-taka is something that only three teams in the world can do, and they are Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Spain. The rest have to run, fight and chop up their own wood for the stove.”
Italy's build-up to the tournament wasn't particularly eye-grabbing, and few thought Italy would be the favourites before the first game kicked off.
“Now everyone fears us. After all, when you have a madman as a goalkeeper and the best defence in the world, it's tough luck for the others.
“Scoring against us is incredibly hard. Even just getting far enough to take a shot is an ordeal. Barzagli, Bonucci and Chiellini are the last three defence specialists left internationally. There aren't any others who are so ferocious, intense and hard.
“Others have no idea what it's like to defend in Italy. We play by anticipating the opponent's move, biting their heels in every area of the pitch. Clashes are constant.
“Buffon? I remember that in October of 1997 we played against Russia, in a qualifier for France 98. It was raining and snowing at once and the cold was awful.
“At one point [goalkeeper Gianluca] Pagliuca gets injured and I see this beardless 19-year-old ready to come in, in a short-sleeved shirt! He really is a madman. But he's also a phenomenon, the [Albert] Einstein of the goal, the kind of guy who could keep blocking shots at the age of 50. He's the greatest.”
The 42-year-old was then asked whether he agreed that Italy had closed Spain's cycle of European domination.
“Possibly. It's normal that after eight years of being successful and spectacular on the stage of world football, you find yourself in need of new blood.
“Spain devoured everyone from 2008 onwards, after a while you lose a bit of hunger. In any case, they already have some fantastic youngsters pushing for their turn. They'll have no problem coming back.
“As for Italy's chances, they have to face the Germans, who are the world's strongest at the moment. They have no weaknesses, I believe.
“So it won't be easy, but one thing I'm sure of: our lads will spit blood, they won't hold anything back and they'll make us proud whichever way it goes.
“We're still hungry, while they may have forgotten a bit of what that feels like after the last World Cup in Brazil. I expect some other stratagem by Conte. I don't think the Germans are too cozy about the match, because they have everything to lose.
“The surprise of the tournament? France's [Dimitri] Payet.”