Antonio Conte has stressed Italy can not afford to get carried away following their 2-0 win over Finland on Monday as they prepare for their Euro 2016 opener against Belgium.
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Antonio Candreva won and converted a penalty in the first half, coolly side-footing into the bottom right corner after being tripped by Perparim Hetemaj, who plays club football at the same stadium.
Antonio Candreva put in a sublime performance to guide Italy to a 2-0 friendly win over Finland, scoring one and setting up the other.
Leonardo Bonucci will anchor the defence, while Lorenzo Insigne and Stephan El Shaaraway patrol the midfield. The midfielder replaced Thiago Motta, who was jeered off the pitch.
Italy coach Antonio Conte remains cautious ahead of Euro 2016 as he feels his team still have room for improvement.
“First of all, I am leading great men and footballers second”.
“It is important because in these short tournaments you must be comfortable with your teammates”. “Then we have Ireland, who don’t have particularly well-known players, but I’m sure that they won’t give upand will give their all to the very end”.
Finland registered their first effort at goal in the 80th minute through Eremenko, but the midfielder’s strike from distance sailed just over the crossbar.
A likely starter in tonight’s friendly game against Finland in Verona, the former AC Milan striker spoke about the Azzurri’s Group E rivals. and the team itself.
The 2012 Euros runners-ups face a tough group consisting of Belgium, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland, but De Rossi said the influence of Antonio Conte – a serial victor as Juventus coach before taking on the Italy job – could prove a telling factor.
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Antonio Candreva and Daniele De Rossi found the net on the night, while Conte will now turn his attentions to the EURO 2016 opener against Belgium on June 13.
