Former Italy goalkeeper Dino Zoff believes the Azzurri will beat the record of going 1143 minutes without conceding.
If the Azzurri don’t concede against Austria on Saturday, the record from Zoff’s time between the sticks will be beaten and the former Juventus shot stopper believes it will happen.
“It’s a beatable record. I think Italy will make it,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “It would mean going towards a great result.
“It’s a team record. The goalkeeper is the last defender,” he added, when asked if he didn’t mind at all.
But he points out that Roberto Mancini’s men should be wary of the threat from Austria this weekend.
“I wouldn’t underestimate anyone, even if we are superior on paper,” he said. “By playing like this, Italy can aspire to reaching the Final.”
Zoff was the CT when Italy reached the Final in 2000, and he sees a team that can ‘make a name for themselves’ in 2021.
“Enthusiasm is something that comes quickly, but it’s also easily lost,” Zoff said. “I’m struck by the extraordinary numbers of this national team. And in sport, numbers are everything.
“A very young team and for sure to come, but it must begin to make a name for itself in this European Championship.”