Conte admires ‘attacking, positive’ Italy at EURO 2024 | OneFootball

Antonio Conte looks back over his experience with Italy as a player and coach, admiring the ‘attacking, positive’ approach taken by Luciano Spalletti at EURO 2024.

The Azzurri got through the group stage thanks to a 2-1 victory over Albania, 1-0 defeat to Spain and the last-gasp 1-1 draw with Croatia.

They will face Switzerland in the Round of 16 on Saturday at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT) in Berlin.

Conte took the Nazionale to EURO 2016 and was asked about his view on the current crop of players.

“I keep that experience in my heart, but I also went through it as a player, losing on penalties in the World Cup and in the Euros to a Golden Goal,” Conte told RAI Sport.

“Participating in the European Championships as a coach was truly incredible. These are situations that stay with you.”

Conte message for Italy

Does the new Napoli coach have a message for Luciano Spalletti and the Italy players?

“There is a whole nation behind you, pushing you on. It is inevitable that there is great pressure and stress, especially for the coach. We must be optimistic, I am sure we’ll celebrate at the end.”

Spalletti only took over from Roberto Mancini in September 2023, so this is the first time he has been able to work with the squad for more than a few days at a time.

“This is an Italy side that tries to give a good image of itself, an attacking, positive team that wants to play. These are such brief tournaments and so compressed that at times you must be able to face situations differently.

“The lads, and Spalletti, are doing a great job,” concluded Conte.

The new Napoli boss has said recently he would never have left the Italy job in 2016 if he hadn’t already signed a contract with Chelsea.