Italy: Lorenzo Insigne, “We haven’t done anything yet, now comes the best part”

Italian National Team, SSC Napoli, UEFA EURO 2020

https://www.italiansoccerseriea.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Anna_Italia_bigger.jpgBy Anna Italia
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Italian Soccer Serie A

Italy and Napoli forward Lorenzo Insigne addressing the media during the press conference on Wednesday 23 June 2021.   Italy is preparing for the UEFA Euro 2020 Round of 16 against Austria on Saturday 26 June at Wembley which was the scene of the 1966 World Cup final and the 1996 European final.    Insigne was born in ’91 and celebrated his 30th birthday on 4 June, the same day as the friendly against the Czech Republic in Bologna.   Italy are unbeaten for 30 games and 11th straight win with clean sheet.

Insigne is confident with the Italian team performance in the Euro.  On how the Azzurri are seen by other teams, Insigne saying:   “Are the other national teams trying to calculate how not to play us? It’s something that makes us proud, especially considering what they thought of us before the tournament started. But we have to stay focused, calm and think about ourselves. We haven’t done anything yet: our objective is to go all the way, it wasn’t just to get through the group stage…”.

On how he feels with the team, Insigne saying “it’s the first time that I’ve played in such an important event at this level, in such an important role. In the past other coaches have used formations that were less compatible with my style of play, although I have always made myself available. Now Mancini is using a system of play that is more suited to me”.

Insigne also adding that he enjoys being part of a team whose “strength is the group”, with teammates who are great friends even off the pitch and a team that is a good mix of experience and youth: “If the young players are living a fairy tale, it’s also true that they give us great enthusiasm. They may be looking to learn some secrets from us, but we are also looking to them and their great quality.

Our midfield? Many envy us: it’s made up of players who know how to combine quality and intensity. We always try to express our football, which makes it difficult for our opponents to play at speed, and we don’t want to interfere with that”.

The knockout phase – almost a ‘tournament within a tournament’ – will start on Saturday evening with the Round of 16. Insigne continued: “We know well that in the in-or-out games a single moment can affect the entire match, but we’re staying calm. Even in the opening game against Turkey, although we were not in the same situation, we had to win. And it was the young players who dragged us to the end through with their play”.

As for playing at Wembley, Insigne is so motivated:  “I think it’s everyone’s dream to score in such a stadium. We will try to go to London and give a great performance, as we have always done until now”.

 

Italy National Team Itinerary

Thursday 24 June
**14:00 – Players on media duties
*18:00 – Training (behind closed doors)

Friday 25 June
Chartered departure for Round of 16 game

* photos will be taken and shared by FIGC 
**media access will be limited to reduced numbers

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