Italy's great absent champions Mario Balotelli, Andrea Pirlo and Claudio Marchisio applaud Italy on social media after the 2-0 victory over Spain.
The Azzurri have reached that stage in an international tournament when their victories are causing celebration in the streets, and some of the most prominent former players expressed their joy.
“Wow, I would have loved to have been in France!” wrote Balotelli on Instagram. “But I have to say that from here at home, and therefore as a fan, I am thrilled by these lads. Forza Italia!”
Italy's great absent champions Mario Balotelli, Andrea Pirlo and Claudio Marchisio applaud Italy on social media after the 2-0 victory over Spain.
The Azzurri have reached that stage in an international tournament when their victories are causing celebration in the streets, and some of the most prominent former players expressed their joy.
“Wow, I would have loved to have been in France!” wrote Balotelli on Instagram. “But I have to say that from here at home, and therefore as a fan, I am thrilled by these lads. Forza Italia!”
Marchisio, who was expected to be one of Italy's great protagonists but who missed out because of injury, was also impressed.
“[Gianluigi] Buffon is super, [Graziano] Pelle closes it,” he tweeted. “Great job boys, forward, forward, forward.”
And the Azzurri legend Andrea Pirlo also added a comment on Twitter.
“What a team,” reads his profile. “Good job lads! And now we're no longer stopping!”