Antonio Conte discussed his choices as Italy beat Finland 2-0 and slammed the media for “scapegoating” Thiago Motta.

Antonio Candreva and Daniele De Rossi were on target in the friendly test at the Stadio Bentegodi in Verona, the last game before Euro 2016.

“Winning helps you to win, it boosts self-confidence and for the second game running we haven’t received a single shot on goal,” said the Coach in his Press conference.

Antonio Conte discussed his choices as Italy beat Finland 2-0 and slammed the media for “scapegoating” Thiago Motta.

Antonio Candreva and Daniele De Rossi were on target in the friendly test at the Stadio Bentegodi in Verona, the last game before Euro 2016.

“Winning helps you to win, it boosts self-confidence and for the second game running we haven’t received a single shot on goal,” said the Coach in his Press conference.

“That is positive. If we’d scored a few more goals against Scotland and Finland then I would’ve been happier, as the lads too need that spark to feel more faith in themselves.

“The players are diving head-long into my idea of football, I see them enthusiastic about it and that is what satisfies me the most.”

Conte was asked about his choice of substitute wingers to get around the Finnish bus.

“It was a choice to use the wingers on their ‘other’ foot, so Alessandro Florenzi and Federico Bernardeschi were able to get past men on the flank and also by cutting inside to shoot.

“I was satisfied with the performance of Antonio Candreva, who is in good shape, while Stephan El Shaarawy also gave a strong response.

“Obviously when playing with such attacking wingers, you cannot think that it’s a 3-5-2. It’s a pure 3-3-4 formation, plus the midfielders have to push up too.

“I needed this game to get an idea on the balance of the side and it convinced me we can play with two strikers, two attacking wingers and a midfielder pushing up. It is a hyper-attacking approach and one we can use during a game.”

Does Conte still have doubts for his starting XI against Belgium on June 13?

“There is a week to go and the training ground will be important too in order to help me make decisions. We’ll be playing every three to four days, so the important thing is that all the players march to the same tune, regardless of who plays.

“I am very calm and content, because I know these lads will give their all.”

Thiago Motta was criticised for his performance, especially as Daniele De Rossi replaced him and made an immediate impact with a goal.

“I got a good response from Thiago, as he hadn’t played for a while due to his injury and held a decent tempo for 60 minutes. The more we go on, the better his fitness levels will be and that goes for everyone.

“I am sincerely disappointed if the media is trying to create a scapegoat. I have been a player and I can tell you the absolutely worse thing is when a situation is created around a specific player. I hope the media is more responsible than to work on creating grumbles or ugly spotlights on certain players.

“That would really disappoint me, because we all want the Nazionale to do well. You are sending messages and creating factions that are for or against players, whereas we are all Italians and want what is best for Italy.”

PSG goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu was a surprise pick in goal.

“I felt he needed to play, especially after a difficult campaign, and I think it helped his self-esteem. Gigi Buffon is a guarantee, Federico Marchetti is also very reliable, so in terms of goalkeepers we’re great.”

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