Roberto Mancini praised his Italian team after their 2-1 victory against Belgium secured their place in the Euro 2020 semi-final.
The Azzurri were unstoppable during the first half on Friday night and stuck Belgium in their own defensive third for most of the 45 minutes and deservedly took a 2-0 lead with wonderful goals from Nicolo Barella and Lorenzo Insigne.
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But after conceding the penalty spot in extra time at the end of the half, Italy were forced to dig in sometimes after the interval to hold on to a narrow lead with a goal.
Bellissimo? Insigne curls the ball beyond Courtois?
The goal of the round challenger? @GazpromFootball | #EUROGOTR | # EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/fVrkbD58z8
– UEFA EURO 2020 (@ EURO2020) 2 July 2021
Mancini’s ability to both attack with goals in the first half and then defend resolutely in the second was very impressive, and as the manager himself certifies, Italy was more than deserving of the victory at the Allianz Arena:
“We deserved to win. The players produced an excellent performance. We only suffered for the last 10 minutes and that was because we were really tired, we had given a lot. But we could have scored even more goals,” Mancini told RAI. Sports (via Daily Mail) after the match.
The former Manchester City boss also discussed the team’s ambitions to enter a grand semi-final with Spain.
Spain saw about a lively Swiss side in the early kicks on Friday and won 3-1 penalties despite the Swiss playing the entire overtime with only ten men.
“We do not set limits. We want to do the maximum. There is still a long way to go, there are two games left and we will see what happens.
“Let’s enjoy this victory, then we can think of Spain. Congratulations to the boys, they did a great job. ”
Italy won 2-1 on Friday / Markus Gilliar / Getty Images
After their exceptional performance in the quarterfinals and after being the most impressive team in the tournament so far, Italy will enter the semifinals with Spain as heavy favorites.
The two sides meet at Wembley on Tuesday 6 July.
