‘It’s not over yet!’: Roberto Mancini says Italy must ‘gather their strength’ for Euro 2020 final after gruelling extra-time and penalties against Spain… as Azzuri boss hails his team’s fighting spirit
Italy boss Roberto Mancini is already planning for the Euro 2020 final after his side beat Spain in a dramatic penalty shoot-out in the semi-final at Wembley.
Federico Chiesa’s stunning strike in the 60th minute put Italy ahead but Alvaro Morata came off the bench to force extra-time with an equaliser in the 80th minute.
Mancini’s men had to endure a gruelling period of extra-time with Spain pushing forward for a winner as their opposition tired, with goalscorer Chiesa forced off shortly after the break.
Italy boss Roberto Mancini is already planning for the Euro 2020 final after his side beat Spain in a dramatic penalty shoot-out
Azzuri’s victory means they will now face England or Denmark in the final on Sunday
But the Azzuri held on and came out on top in the shoot-out and booked their place in Sunday’s final.
Italy have been transformed since they failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. But Mancini insisted all the plaudits should go to his players and said they must now focus on the next match.
‘The credit goes to the lads, because they believed in all this three years ago, but it’s not over yet,’ Mancini told Italian TV station RAI.
Italy began to tire in extra-time and goalscorer Federico Chiesa was forced off before penalties
Mancini praised his team for their defensive work and fighting spirit at the end of the game
‘We’ve got to gather our strength, what is left, and prepare for the final.
Mancini admitted that Spain had caused his side problems but praised his players for their fight and determination to ensure they stayed in the game.
‘Penalties are cruel. It was a tough team, Spain are a great side who play really well.
‘We didn’t play the way we usually do, but fought hard and knew it’d be like this.
‘They caused us problems with this change, but then we got the right co-ordinates and didn’t risk much. We knew from the start that Spain were the masters of possession, so they’d cause us problems, but we had to adjust and fight hard.
‘Football teams attack and defend, they cannot just attack. We both had chances, these are both great teams, all teams defend, not just Italians.’