The day following defeat to Germany on penalties, you could feel the sense of regret at being a step away from reaching the semi-finals at Italy´s hotel in Montpellier. However, disappointment also made way for pride in the knowledge that Italy went out with their heads held high after matching the world champions. It was an emotional adventure for Antonio Conte which began on 9 September 2014 in qualifying as Italy finished unbeaten at the top of the group with seven wins and three draws. In France, the Azzurri were able to finish top of a strong group ahead of Belgium before beating reigning champions Spain after a difficult draw before only going out on penalties in the quarter-finals.
‘Emotionally, I feel very attached to what happened, more so today than yesterday because you realise the next day that it’s over,” said Antonio Conte as he was applauded by the journalists in the press room at Casa Azzurri. “I feel very sorry for the boys, It was a great honour to coach them, they really gave me all that they had. I want to thank the staff, the cooks, the equipment managers and all who worked with his. Special thanks go to Mauro Vladovich and Lele Oriali, I knew in these past two years that’s he’s a person of great character. I thank president Tavecchio for giving me the chance to have this extraordinary experience and I hope that this is just goodbye and not a final farewell.”
The coach then went on to thank the press: “We’ve worked together for two years and got to know each other. I know that I’m not a simple person but it seems to me that we have reached a point of mutual respect. I feel I have to thank you for your collaboration.” There was then a message of good luck for his successor in the role. “I hope that all goes well for the national team and Ventura. I am convinced in the value of the work we have done and that the FIGC is going down the right road and that can help the Italy colours fly high. We achieved an objective at this European Championship where we were respected by all and we matched the world champions.”
After remembering the victims of the terrorist attack in Bangladesh, president Carlo Tavecchio thanked all involved in the trip to France, starting with CEO Michele Uva and the vice-director Francesca Sanzone. “We achieved some truly excellent results,” underlined Tavecchio. “I thank the Italian people who went back out into the streets in Azzurri shirts. We achieved perfect financial figures, we didn’t splash the cash and we showed that we don’t waste private or public funds on nonsense. We’re not just here to say goodbye, we’ll keep moving forwards. We have to start again from this point, the way has been set.”
The president developed a strong bond with the coach in these recent years. “We had the fortune of meeting a splendid individual, a leader who built what he had to build with scientific rationality,” added Tavecchio. “I am sure that he will do well in his next adventure with Chelsea and considering that age is on his side, he could come back to Italy soon.”
Photo: figc.it