Published: June 26, 2021 1:50 PM |
Last updated: June 26, 2021 1:50 PM
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LONDON: Italy’s unbeaten streak won’t last forever, and Austria’s coach Franco Foda plans to be the one to stop it.
The Italian has become one of the favorites at the European Championships after he won all three games in the group stage, scored seven goals and conceded none. These three wins at Euro 2020 extended the unbeaten streak of the team under coach Roberto Mancini to 30 games – which corresponds to the previous record from the 1930s.
« At first it seemed an insurmountable and impossible challenge for us because they haven’t lost in ages, ”said Foda. « But sooner or later Mancini’s team will lose too. »
Austria, which reached the round of 16 for the first time at the tournament, will get its chance on Saturday at Wembley Stadium.
« The team achieved something spectacular. We are in the round of 16 and now want to do everything we can to make the next step into the quarter-finals, ”said Foda on Friday. « We have a lot of self-confidence … we are focused and very well prepared for the upcoming game against Italy. »
In addition to the unbeaten series, Italy will also try to set another record. The team has none in 11 games, a total of 1,055 minutes Conceded goal. If Austria don’t score, Italy will beat the record of 1,143 minutes from 1972 to 1974.
For a team that did not qualify for the 2018 World Cup, Italy’s recent results are quite remarkable.
« That makes us proud, especially when you consider what they thought of us before the start of the tournament, » said Italy striker Lorenzo Insigne. « But we have to stay focused, stay calm and think about ourselves. We haven’t done anything yet Our goal is to go all the way, it wasn’t just about getting through the group stage. ”
The previous coach, Gian Piero Ventura, lost the support of the squad during a World Cup pla yoff loss to Sweden when he left Insigne – who is considered the most talented player on the team – on the bench.
Insigne has forged a strong partnership with Ciro Immobile who finally took his Serie A goal on the international stage « It’s the first time I’ve played such an important role in such an important event at this level, » said Insigne. « In the past, other coaches used formations that were less compatible with my style of play, although I always made myself available.
» Now Mancini uses a game system that better suits me and the characteristics of other players. »
Insigne has already scored goals at Wembley, in a 1-1 draw with England in a 2018 friendly.
« It was only a friendly but it was incredible, » said Insigne. “I think it’s everybody’s dream to score points in a stadium like this. We’re going to try to go to London and give a great performance like we’ve always done before.
“Our strength is that we never change our nature. Austria is running a lot and applying pressure, we will study our opponents, but we will prepare for the game and think about what we have to do. ”
Italy was praised for their free flowing, offensive style of play. But veteran defender Leonardo Bonucci said the team was ready to forget about “the beautiful game” in order to achieve a result.
« I’ve always said that in games there are situations where you can be bad and ugly must, « said Bonucci on Friday. « And that’s what we did in games, when we had to defend the result, when we sat deep, when we fought in front of our penalty area.
» There are a number of moments in a knockout. Game, and you have to be able to read it correctly, just like tomorrow’s game. «
Nobody embodies this more than Giacomo Raspadori, a 21-year-old Sassuolo striker who hadn’t even played a game for Italy when he was in The 26-man squad was called up for the tournament.
Raspadori came on as a substitute in Italy’s last group game against Wales and only made his second appearance for his country.
« This is all a fairy tale, for the team and for me, « said Raspadori. » So much has changed in four months.
« Those who are now my Italy teammates were the ones I recently saw as sporting idols. »
The The winner of the Saturday game will travel to Munich to either defend the title in the quarter-finals on July 2nd Meet Portugal or Belgium.
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