‘Fairy tale’ has been frequently heard since the Azzurri got together. Indeed, it’s been used to describe the journey that several players have been on, one which has culminated in their participation in the European Championship. One such player to whom this applies is Matteo Pessina, who “plays football for fun and doesn’t consider it a job” and who, as a child, only got to “enjoy a kickaround as a reward for having studied”. Initially part of Italy’s preliminary squad, he eventually made the cut for the tournament after Stefano Sensi picked up an injury. Since then, Pessina has scored against Wales and Austria, helping the team to reach the quarter-finals.

The Atalanta midfielder had the following to say to the press today: “Right from the get-go, I felt like an integral part of the group, even when I wasn’t part of the 26-man list. Credit goes to Mancini, who makes everyone feel important. The Coach always us to play with serenity: he knows that we’re good players and, by remaining calm, can display our best characteristics.

Following a big battle against Austria that lasted 120 minutes, Italy secured their spot in the last eight, where they’ll face a Belgium side that got the better of Portugal in Seville yesterday evening: “It was difficult against the Austrians because they’re a very physical and athletic side, and certain differences can come to the fore at this late stage of the season. It was tough to play against them, even if we expected the game to be like that. Against Belgium, given their fantastic quality, it’ll be another really hard test. However, if we want to go all the way, we have to face the best sides. Lukaku? I think he’s the best number 9 in the world at this current time, and he’s improved a lot on a technical level. They have another fantastic player in De Bruyne, who has shown that he’s one of the best on the planet in the last few years. I don’t know if he’ll be involved after his injury yesterday, but it’ll be good for us if he isn’t. However, if he does play, it’ll be fantastic to see him in action live in person.”

After making his debut with the National Team last November in Florence against Estonia, Matteo Pessina has so far made eight appearances with the Azzurri, scoring four goals, including two at these Euros: “The celebration against Austria? It was the most spontaneous thing in the world: it didn't seem real to me that it had really happened and I did the stupidest thing I could think of. I get lots of videos of people imitating it, even on the beach: it's really wonderful. To think that when I scored against Wales, my grandparents were waiting to head off to Sardinia and they watched the game in a bar. My grandfather told everyone I was his grandson and they offered him a drink!

“Are the other big teams afraid of us now? We have always known our strength. But when we're talking between ourselves, we never discuss how far we can go because we're always focused on every single game.”

And finally, a little note from an art and design lover: "Which artist could paint this National Team? One of my favourite painters is Van Gogh and I like to think of this team as one of his paintings: beautiful and one of a kind."

Itinerary

Tuesday 29 June
**14:00 - Players on media duties
*19:00 - Training (behind-closed-doors)

Wednesday 30 June
**14:00 - Players on media duties
*19:00 - Training (behind-closed-doors)

Thursday 1 June
TBC

* photos will be taken and shared by FIGC 
**media access will be limited to reduced numbers

N.B. Timetables are subject to possible change

NOTE FOR THE MEDIA – By clicking on this link, it is possible to download photos from Pessina’s press conference. The images can be used after giving photo credit with the words: Credits: Getty for Figc.