Former Italy boss Antonio Conte has penciled down some advice for the Azzurri as they prepare to take on England in Sunday’s Euro 2020 final billed for Wembley.
Of course, Conte is a familiar face when it comes to football in England, having won the English Premier League and FA Cup title with Chelsea during his two-year at Stamford Bridge between 2016 and 2018.
The former Juventus gaffer – who also spent two years in charge of the Italian national side, believes he has identified England’s weaknesses – which his former players could capitalize on.
In is column for Gazzetta dello Sport, Conte praised England’s attacking players and believes they will pose greater danger than Italy’s semi-final opponents Spain.
“Unlike Spain, who tended to pass it backwards, [England] always try to hit you in one-on-one situations,” said Conte, who led Italy to the quarter-finals of Euro 2016.
“Dribbling, cutting inside and overlaps… there’s not only [Raheem] Sterling but also [Bukayo] Saka, [Phil] Foden, [Jadon] Sancho, [Jack] Grealish.
“And then of course Harry Kane. Many praise his ability to go get the ball and link up with the team, as with the equaliser against Denmark. Of course, he is very good at that, but it is in the middle of the penalty area that he is very strong, a sniper, and I would always keep him there as a manager, because he can be devastating.”
Meanwhile, Conte opined that if Italy can contain England’s attacking threat, they are vulnerable at the other end of the pitch.
“In the middle of the park they have two very physical midfielders in [Declan] Rice and [Kalvin] Phillips, capable players who bring balance but very few vertical passes, often going for the easiest option,” he added.
“One of England’s weak spots is that, if their defence is pressed when building from the back, they aren’t as good as Spain at escaping their opponents’ press. But if you go after them with ultra-offensive pressing and they do escape, then watch out for their pace up front.
“Again, this is when the [Italy] players must show their experience at reading the various moments of the game.”
