Football
Ben Gladwell, Italy correspondent 8y

Matteo Darmian: Italy in need of improvement for Euro 2016

Manchester United full-back Matteo Darmian admits Italy have a lot of work to do between now and the start of Euro 2016, but he is confident they will be ready when it matters.

Speaking after Sunday evening's 1-0 win over Scotland in the Squadra Azzurra's penultimate warm-up match before travelling to France, Darmian conceded that Italy must improve if they are to avoid a repeat of failing to get out of the group stage at the 2014 World Cup, but insisted they will get to where they want to be when it matters.

"We've worked a lot this week and this wasn't our best game, but we're preparing ourselves to be at our peak when the European Championship starts," Darmian told RAI television .

"There's a lot of margin for improvement, but we're a good group and we need to remain relaxed and keep working.

"When we take to the field [in France], we have got to show heart and determination, and then we've got the quality we need to do something big. We're working hard and we will be ready."

Match-winner Graziano Pelle admitted that coach Antonio Conte has been working the squad particularly hard this week, which might explain why they were not firing on all cylinders.

With Conte expected to name his final 23-man squad for the competition on Tuesday, Pelle says he has been working the squad hard to find any signs of weakness.

"We know where we want to get to, but words don't count for all -- we need to deliver actions when the Euros start and we will be ready," said the Southampton forward.

"I don't like looking for excuses, but we have been working a lot these days and, as a result, we were not as sharp as we can be.

"But we're all right in our minds and we want to be positive. When our sharpness comes back, we've got to be ready.

"This is part of our preparation and we've got to work to try to find the best condition possible to play our best football."

Italy host Finland in their final warm-up game ahead of Euro 2016 next Monday. Two days later, they will fly to their base for the tournament in Montpellier to prepare for their opening fixture against Belgium on June 13.

^ Back to Top ^