Antonio Conte said it would be “stupid for Italy to set ourselves targets” at Euro 2016 and challenged players to “change my mind.”
The Azzurri have been placed in the extremely tricky Group E with Belgium, the side currently number one in the FIFA World rankings, Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s Sweden and the Republic of Ireland.
“It would be stupid for Italy to set ourselves targets, above all minimum ones,” said the Coach in a Press conference.
Antonio Conte said it would be “stupid for Italy to set ourselves targets” at Euro 2016 and challenged players to “change my mind.”
The Azzurri have been placed in the extremely tricky Group E with Belgium, the side currently number one in the FIFA World rankings, Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s Sweden and the Republic of Ireland.
“It would be stupid for Italy to set ourselves targets, above all minimum ones,” said the Coach in a Press conference.
“We must attempt something extraordinary and that way we’ll be happy to arrive wherever it’s right to arrive after having given our all. Without regrets.
“When I first arrived at Juventus, everyone assumed Milan, Inter or Napoli would win the Scudetto, but we triumphed instead.
“There are differences, though. At club level I got to train the squad every day, here I can’t do that, but the team has already made giant steps forward.
“It’s fundamental to get as much work done as possible and the President has already reassured me the season will end on May 15, unless an Italian side reaches the Champions League Final, in which case we’ll all be happy.
“I was a player, I took part in a World Cup and European Championship, so I know that going off grid for a week helped me to recharge the batteries.
“This is a long and tough tournament, you play up to seven games in one month. You have to be ready tactically and run harder than your opponents. You don’t get that with a blessing from the sky, you have to work for it.”
Italy begin their campaign against Belgium on June 13, then take on Sweden on June 17 and eventually the Republic of Ireland on June 22.
“It’s an interesting group. Belgium are among the favourites, as they have top players and many alternatives too. They beat us in a friendly last month, but above all due to incidents rather than out-playing us.
“Sweden are very physical, tactically organised with their 4-4-2 and the spark of creativity comes from fantastic Ibrahimovic.
“Today Ibra is stronger than he was, because he no longer wanders around the pitch, but stays close to the goal where he can do the most damage. I’d have liked to work with him.
“Finally Ireland, like all Anglo-Saxon sides, play a physical 4-4-2 with great intensity. But nobody likes to face Italy, we are an organised team with ideas who can improve.”
Italy will have their base camp in Montpellier and the group games will be in Lyon (Belgium), Toulouse (Sweden) and Lille (Ireland).
It has been said Conte already has much of his squad in mind, which is a concern for players such as Lorenzo Insigne, Domenico Berardi and even Mario Balotelli who have been on the fringes of his project.
“This is the Nazionale of Us. We mustn’t think about the I, but with the Us, being a team. That is a message that must be received by a strong and honest group.
“If someone wants to be a part of that, they have to change my idea with great performances, both on and off the field.”
Conte already sent a message to Balotelli after the Milan striker posted on Instagram he “can’t wait” for Euro 2016.
“Can’t wait for what? To watch us on TV or to play?” replied Conte. “He’d have to prove himself a lot. A lot, a lot, a lot. On and off the pitch.
“There are six months to go. We will pay close attention to everything that emerges from the League. The door is not closed to anyone.
“I hope to have a get-together in February so I can call up young emerging talents, former Under-21 players. So not those with 50 Azzurri caps, but lads we can view for three days to see if they could be useful now or for the World Cup cycle: Stefano Sturaro, Berardi, Federico Bernardeschi and others.
“I can only ask for this help from the clubs, then it’s up to the President and others to understand my needs.”