"The light-heartedness and the desire to be all together: these are the ingredients making this National Team even stronger, bringing out the individual qualities of the players". Francesco Acerbi met the press in today's conference at the Media Centre at Coverciano, underlining the factors that led to the Azzurri win against Turkey in the opening match of UEFA EURO 2020, extending their unbeaten streak to 28 matches and marking their ninth win in a row.

After this resounding success, and with all the stats confirming the positive play of Mancini's lads, where can this team improve? "You can always improve", commented Acerbi, "and we must try to do it through our game management. In a competition like the Euros, with only a few games to play, details can make the difference: in this way, with these details, we have to be capable of perfecting ourselves".

The match against Switzerland takes place on Wednesday evening (again at Stadio Olimpico, 21:00 CEST kick-off) and it could seal mathematical qualification for the round of 16 already for Italy; If Wales fail to beat Turkey in the match at 18:00 CEST, an Azzurri win over the Swiss could already guarantee first place in the group: "Switzerland have a precise playing identity, dictated by the fact that Petkovic has been sitting on the Swiss bench for some time, and they can count on both physically and technically talented players.

As far as we are concerned, we try to press the very tall opponents, to not let them play and to recover the ball as close as possible to their box. Mancini gave us a change of mentality, making us feel good without letting us feel the pressure: We feel like a family in this team.Are we among the favourites for the Euros? There are teams better equipped than us, but together as a group, we can do something extraordinary".

Tuesday 15 June
11:00 – Transfer Florence-Rome
**16:45 – Press conference, Coach + 1 player at Hotel Parco dei Principi
*19:15 – Training at the Olympic Center Giulio Onesti (behind closed doors except for first 15 mins)

Wednesday 16 June
21:00 – Italy vs. Switzerland at the Stadio Olimpico. Press conference/media duties after full-time.

Thursday 17 June
*17:00 – Training (behind closed doors)

Friday 18 June
** 14:00 – Players meet media
*18:00 – Training (behind closed doors)

Saturday 19 June
11:00 – Transfer Florence-Rome
**17:15 – Press conference, Coach + 1 player at Hotel Parco dei Principi
*18:30 – Training at the Olympic Center Giulio Onesti (behind closed doors except for first 15 mins)

Sunday 20 June
18:00 – Italy vs. Wales at the Stadio Olimpico. Press conference/media duties after full-time.

N.B. Timetables are subject to possible change
* photos will be taken and shared by FIGC
**media access will be limited to reduced numbers

 

 

NOTE FOR EDITORS - By clicking here https://dam.gettyimages.com/s/97n6tvxpmcw358bvggs3tpk7 you may download some images of the press conference with Francesco Acerbi. The images can be used by entering as Credits: Getty for Figc. In the evening, training photos will be provided.