After taking out the man of the match in Italy’s 2-0 win over Belgium, Emanuele Giaccherini has lauded his side’s defence as the best in the tournament.
Giaccherini surprised all by being named in Italy’s squad for Euro 2016, let alone the starting XI for the opening match, but he certainly vindicated his selection with the all-important first goal.
On-loan at Bologna after struggling at Sunderland, the diminutive midfielder expertly controlled Leonardo’s delivery from a set-piece, producing a magical first-touching and finishing past Thibaut Courtois.
Despite his feats which are set to make Giaccharinho a hero in Italy, he pointed to the team’s effort rather than his own.
“For us and myself, what matters tonight is the victory. So I’m pleased for my performance, but it’s about the team,” he said.
“The defence was fantastic tonight. You don’t need to hear me sit here and say how good Italy’s defence is. I think we have the best backline in the competition.”
Despite being written off pre-tournament as the ‘underdogs’ in the game against Belgium, Giaccherini said there is a real sense of togetherness in the squad filling them with total belief.
“You will always see 11 players in the field and the other on the bench with poisoned eyes,” he said in Italian, alluding to the eagerness of every squad member to be ready to perform.
“We all know that every time we pull on this shirt we are representing the entire nation.
“It will be that way the entire competition.”
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