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FFormer Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has transformed Italy since taking office following bitter disappointment over their failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
the Azzurri advance to the Euro 2020 final after a record-breaking streak of 33 games unbeaten, finishing first in their group before defeating Austria, Belgium and Spain in the round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals.
Italian defender Leonardo Bonucci sang the praises of his head coach as Azzurri in search of a second European title and their first since 1968. Mancini has lost just two of his 38 games leading the national team so far.
“First of all, it worked on our mentality, it gave us confidence, restored our self-esteem and our enthusiasm,” Bonucci said.
“He made us believe that what he wanted was the best and the right way. He selected talent and quality, that’s what makes football win.
“Playing with a lot of talent in the middle of the field makes it easy, and that’s what we’ve been doing for three years. “
Meanwhile, England defender John Stones admits Sunday’s meeting with Italy seemed like a distant dream not so long ago. The Three Lions are set to play in the European Championship final for the first time, as it is their first major tournament final since 1966.
“It’s huge, with being at Wembley too, it’s even more special – something we could only dream of at the start of the tournament,” Stones said.
“We’ve come this far now and we’ve grown throughout the tournament and we haven’t put too much pressure on ourselves. We have overcome difficult trials over the past few years.
“We learned a lot and gained a lot of experience and that got us where we are on Sunday. It is a huge opportunity.
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