Italy coach Roberto Mancini highlighted the difficulty of beating Spain in yesterday’s Euro 2020 semi-finals.
Speaking in an interview with Italian broadcaster Sky Sports Italia (via GianlucaDiMarzio.com) last night, the Azzurri coach commented on Italy’s win last night over Luis Enrique’s side.
I believed in the players we had, despite the fact that everyone didn’t believe in them. We knew we could do good things, so far, we have succeeded.
We are happy to have given the Italians some great nights this month, but there is still one to go. We have to recover our strength, today was very hard. Spain are a great team.
He spoke about the difficulty of getting the ball in yesterday’s win and looked ahead to Sunday’s final.
Spain put us in difficulty. They are the masters of ball possession, they put us in difficulty, but we had many chances.
Now we’re thinking about the final. We have four days to recover, and then we’ll see what happens.
Finally, Mancini discussed if he had any fear of a Spanish victory as the game progressed.
I knew we’d have to suffer, they’re good, there’s nothing we can do. Young, but good. We spent a lot in the last game.
When we were 1-0 up, I thought we’d get the second. Then we struggled a bit, but in the final minutes of regulation time. Then, in the extra time, not so much.
Italy will face either England or Denmark in Sunday’s Euro 2020 final, which will again be played at Wembley in London.
The second semi-final of the competition will take place in London tonight at 21:00 CEST, with England the home favourites and Denmark making an inspired run following the tragic Christian Eriksen situation.
There are two Lazio players in the Azzurri squad this tournament, star striker Ciro Immobile and defender Francesco Acerbi. The 31-year-old Italian striker has scored twice so far and will be hoping to net in the final.
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