Antonio Conte warned “do not expect defence and counter-attack” when Italy take on Belgium in Euro 2016.

The Azzurri beat Finland 2-0 in their final friendly before facing Belgium on June 13 with an Antonio Candreva penalty and Daniele De Rossi header.

“I experience the game with intensity and live it along with my players, so I try to pass on this enthusiasm, passion and even desire to step on to the field!” said the Coach in his Press conference.

Antonio Conte warned “do not expect defence and counter-attack” when Italy take on Belgium in Euro 2016.

The Azzurri beat Finland 2-0 in their final friendly before facing Belgium on June 13 with an Antonio Candreva penalty and Daniele De Rossi header.

“I experience the game with intensity and live it along with my players, so I try to pass on this enthusiasm, passion and even desire to step on to the field!” said the Coach in his Press conference.

“I am also getting back into the habit of being on the touchline. We’ll start playing every three to four days, so I need to train my voice for shouting too.

“I think the players share my concepts, I have a fine group of players and above all of men. I hope to continue working the way we have been, with determination and the desire to overcome obstacles.”

How would Conte describe the Nazionale going into Euro 2016?

“It’s certainly an eager side in every respect, it has desire, and in a moment that is not easy for us, I consider that to be very important.”

When it comes to tactics, Conte was adamant he will not take a defensive approach and never has done.

“I do everything except counter-attacks. I do not play on the counter. I never even train counter-attacks. It is not in my concept of football.

“When we have the ball, we have our ideas. When we lose the ball, we try to be tight, press the opposition and try to win it back as soon as possible.

“Against Belgium we will have our say. Do not expect defence and counter in that game, because it is simply not part of how I view football.

“Counter-attacks are when you sit back and then propel yourself forward at pace. We’ve got players who can do that, like Ciro Immobile, Simone Zaza and others, but in my idea of football we want to play the game and use the ball.

“If we lose possession, we have to be aggressive and win it back in their half, as that’ll make it easier for us to close on their goal.

“We are working on those concepts, today we met a side that again tried to not play. Even when they went 1-0 down, they didn’t change their approach. With all due respect, evidently we are doing something right if the opposition sit back in their own half and wait for us.”

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