Conte taunts ‘Italy know what it means to play in a final’ and talks England’s weaknesses ahead of Euro 2020 showdown
EX-CHELSEA manager Antonio Conte claims Italy ‘know what it means to play in a final’ ahead of their game against England.
The Azzurri will play the Three Lions in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley on Sunday, July 11 – and Conte reckons his country will be victorious.
Conte is a columnist for Italian newspaper and has been discussing England’s chances in the final.
The 51-year-old wrote: “England has been waiting for this match for a lifetime.
“They have never won the European Championships and their only World Cup triumph is in 1966.
“Wembley’s help can be a huge boost but also a drag, because the players could feel the pressure.
“When they fell behind with Denmark they showed some emotional difficulty, as well as at the start of the second overtime for fear that the target at hand might vanish.
“We will have less support in the stands, but more experience than them on the pitch.
“We know what it means to play in the finals. And we also know how they are won.”
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Conte also admitted England are a ‘strong team’ with ‘lots of arrows in their bow’ and praised several players, including Raheem Sterling, Bukayo Saka and Kalvin Phillips.
The Premier League winner knows the Italian squad well after guiding them to the quarter-finals of Euro 2016.
He also coached Alessandro Bastoni and Nicolo Barella at Inter Milan last season and has worked with several other Italian stars, including captain Giorgio Chiellini, at club level.
England have never beaten the Azzurri at a major tournament, losing all four of their previous meetings.
Italy fans have accused England of cheating and Sterling of diving after Gareth Southgate’s team were awarded a penalty in their semi-final victory.
And Gazzetta dello Sport have hinted at a conspiracy theory involving Uefa and PM Boris Johnson over the disputed spot-kick.
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