Paris (AFP) – Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci hailed coach Antonio Conte’s masterful game plan as the Azzurri dumped two-time defending champions Spain out of Euro 2016 2-0 in the last 16 on Monday.
Conte’s men now face world champions Germany in the quarter-finals and Bonucci believes Italy’s teamwork makes them capable of beating sides with greater individual talent.
“Mr. Conte is so important as a coach because he can implement a game plan and he becomes more important with every match,” said Bonucci.
“This process which started two years ago has been essential.
“This national team is shorn of great talent so we must play as a team, have a playing style and Conte is the master at that.”
Italy have a fantastic record against Germany having never lost to them in eight meetings in major international tournaments.
“We hope that it will be the same (celebration) post match after the next game. It will be a huge match against the reigning world champions,” added Bonucci
“They have great players, we have to be 23 men and 23 dreamers. Today we dreamed how the match would go and it did.”
