Italy boss Roberto Mancini has England Euro 2020 final fear

Posted Sunday, July 11, 2021 by Express.co.uk

The former Manchester City manager has admitted his side have worries about England.

Italy manager Roberto Mancini has admitted that his side are inferior to England in terms of physicality ahead of Sunday’s Euro 2020 final at Wembley. Italy are unbeaten in 32 matches under Mancini, but the former Manchester City boss knows his team face a difficult task against the home side tomorrow evening.

The Azzurri have been impressive on their way to reaching the final, just three years after they failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

Mancini’s side have beaten Austria, Belgium and Spain in the knockout stages after winning all three of their group matches.

They showed their determination and solidity to beat Spain 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in the semi-final and come into tomorrow’s final full of confidence.

However, Mancini is under no illusions about how tough Gareth Southgate’s side are, with the partnership between Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips a particular challenge to overcome.

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Mancini is worried about England's physicality (Image: GETTY)

"I don't think that England only have two very physical midfielders,” he said.

"They are a very physically capable side all across the pitch.

"They are stronger than us from that perspective, but you play football with the ball on the deck and we hope we can do a better job on that score and we hope that those will be important qualities in a match tomorrow night.

"Occasionally the smaller guy wins and that's happened to us in the past and we hope it happens this time around but we need to give it absolutely everything.”

Mancini's side is built on the defensive partnership of Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci and there side is packed full of big-game experience.

Yet England have plenty of danger in their side themselves and Mancini has highlighted Raheem Sterling as their biggest threat, with the Man City winger on three goals and one assist in the tournament so far.

"England are a good side because they have a lot of good players on the bench but if we've made it this far it also means we are a good team," he said.

"Sterling is a footballer that's come on leaps and bounds and he's very pacey indeed so we need to be careful of him.

"Besides him I'm not sure who will play on the right. Then there's Harry Kane and in the final third they have all top players, they have terrific technique and ability."

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