Azzurri legend Gianni Rivera says Italy 'surprised everyone' against 'overconfident' Belgium at Euro 2016.

The Euro 1968 champion and finalist in the World Cup 1970 recently released his autobiography, and he spoke to the Press at the presentation of the book.

Touching on the subject of Coach Antonio Conte, he said the latter's decision to leave the Nazionale after the Euros was to be expected.

Azzurri legend Gianni Rivera says Italy 'surprised everyone' against 'overconfident' Belgium at Euro 2016.

The Euro 1968 champion and finalist in the World Cup 1970 recently released his autobiography, and he spoke to the Press at the presentation of the book.

Touching on the subject of Coach Antonio Conte, he said the latter's decision to leave the Nazionale after the Euros was to be expected.

“I'm not surprised, I know him and I expected he'd be troubled by the slow pace of the Nazionale,” said Rivera, as reported by Gianluca Di Marzio. “He needs to have his players under his eye from dawn to dusk and he can only do that with a club.

“This year's Euro is very balanced, and that's a good thing. Italy enjoyed an excellent start. It was a surprise for everyone to see the team play with such determination. They frightened Belgium, who were too confident of victory.

“Judging a team before seeing them play is completely useless. In football, the only thing that matters are the 90 minutes on the pitch.

“The first thing you must do in football is making sure you don't concede any goals, then you've got to try and score a few against your opponents.

“And there are many ways to score a goal, the game's always been like that. The first goal against Belgium came during a regular play, and not in a counter.”

Byandrea

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