Former striker Christian Vieri says the Azzurri 'reignited everyone's faith' and praises Coach Antonio Conte: 'Tactically, he's extremely well prepared'.

The 42-year-old was a staple of Italy's national teams from 1998 throughout the first half of the past decade, but he has seldom felt so close to the Nazionale as he does now.

Former striker Christian Vieri says the Azzurri 'reignited everyone's faith' and praises Coach Antonio Conte: 'Tactically, he's extremely well prepared'.

The 42-year-old was a staple of Italy's national teams from 1998 throughout the first half of the past decade, but he has seldom felt so close to the Nazionale as he does now.

“I literally leapt up in the air when we scored the 2-0 [against Spain],” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “I was excited to see a national team so full of values. There's nothing more beautiful than fighting for the Azzurri colours, and our boys have reignited the interest of a whole country.

“Compared to the World Cup in 2014, the difference is like night and day. I'm passionate about watching Italy once again. I see lads full of enthusiasm, in love with the Azzurri shirt and with all those values that I always carried over to the national team.

“This is what people rightly expect from their footballers, and it's no wonder that the level of passion in Italy right now should be off the charts. I can tell through my social media accounts too, I'm perceiving a lot of pride and excitement over a group that doesn't hold back on the pitch. They give everything, down to the last drop of sweat.

“When you do that, the result becomes secondary, because sometimes it can be decided by simple episodes or by good and bad luck. The most important success is conquering the heart of your people. If you can do that, you've already won.

“I'll most certainly be in Bordeaux to support the lads. Let's all go there!”

Vieri was then asked what Conte's specific influence on this team was.

“The team is modelled after his own image. Italy is charismatic, she has character, she knows what she wants and she can get the best out of her players.

“Tactically, Conte is phenomenal. He's extremely well prepared and he's always looking for solutions. In brief, he's got guts. He always has the team under control and those who aren't running or playing hard for it can go right back home.

“That's what he wants, and it's right. People are proud of this Italy team and so am I, they are 23 champions with an exceptional Coach.”

Byandrea

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