Atalanta midfielder Pessina proud to be Italy matchwinner | OneFootball

Atalanta midfielder Matteo Pessina was proud to prove Italy's matchwinner in victory over Wales on Sunday.

The result sees Italy reach the Euros round of 16 with a 100 per cent group record.

“I could only dream of a game like this! It was the perfect performance, the one everyone dreams of, to decide the victory in a major tournament. I might not sleep for a few weeks after this!" Pessina told RAI Sport.

“The coach told us the line-up just before we left for the stadium, so I wasn't sure if I'd play or not, but prepared the same way as always.

“As I've already said, this team is wonderful because every player gives 100 per cent and everyone feels the coach has absolute faith in us, whether we play or not. It takes the pressure off and we all feel free to give our best."

He added: “I spoke to (Gian Piero) Gasperini after I got the call-up, there's a lot of him in this. I can see some similarities between the way Atalanta play and what Italy are doing now, the high press and runs from midfield, so I settled right in."