Luca Toni said he 'didn't expect such a performance' after Italy-Belgium 2-0, and explains how Antonio Conte's men can keep winning.
The veteran Azzurri striker was among those not just impressed but surprised by the Azzurri show in their opening Euro 2016 match.
“I honestly didn't expect such a performance,” said Toni, as reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport. “We all knew it would be difficult to score against Italy, because Conte's teams have an organisation and an intensity that doesn't let you breathe.
Luca Toni said he 'didn't expect such a performance' after Italy-Belgium 2-0, and explains how Antonio Conte's men can keep winning.
The veteran Azzurri striker was among those not just impressed but surprised by the Azzurri show in their opening Euro 2016 match.
“I honestly didn't expect such a performance,” said Toni, as reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport. “We all knew it would be difficult to score against Italy, because Conte's teams have an organisation and an intensity that doesn't let you breathe.
“But Italy combined self-sacrifice with quality and played a really great match. Of course, it's always the episodes that decide such balanced games, and the Azzurri were good to punish Belgium at their first distraction.
“Bonucci dressed up as Pirlo with that assist for Giaccherini, who scored a goal like a true poacher, keeping his cool after a great ball-control.
“It was beautiful to see so much sacrifice and such group unity. It made it easier to hold back Belgium's quality.”
Supporters in France repeated the famous stadium chorus that was popularised during the 2006 World Cup, based on the jingle from the song Seven Nation Army.
“I listened to that with quite an emotion. It shows the desire among Italians of becoming great again, because our country sustains itself on passion and football.
“Other than Euro 2012, the last few tournaments have all been very disappointing. Therefore everyone, starting from the players, want to dream.
“It's going to be decisive to always bring this drive and this enthusiasm to the pitch.”