Mancini: it’s not over yet for Italy
Roberto Mancini admits Spain ‘caused problems’ with their tactical changes and Italy had to dig deep to reach the UEFA EURO 2020 Final, but ‘it’s not over’.
The Azzurri were forced to extra time and penalties after Alvaro Morata cancelled out the Federico Chiesa opener, but Jorginho converted the decisive kick with a cool rolled finish.
“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,” Mancini told RAI Sport.
Luis Enrique had shocked everyone by benching Alvaro Morata, using Ferran Torres as a False 9.
“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”.
Mancini has completely transformed the side that failed to even qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
“The credit goes to the lads, because they believed in all this three years ago, but it’s not over yet. We’ve got to gather our strength, what is left, and prepare for the Final”.
