In words that will undoubtedly fill Italy coach Antonio Conte and his players with pride, Spain centre-back Gerard Pique has said that he certainly would not like to face the Azzurri in the latter stages of Euro 2016.
La Roja and the Azzurri were the first two teams to secure their passage through to the last 16 of the tournament after they both won their opening two group fixtures.
Pique has conceded that he is wary of Italy’s formidable defence and team cohesion.
Both these typically Italian qualities were on display in the Azzurri’s impressive victories against Belgium and Sweden, in which they managed to keep clean sheets.
“Italy are very ‘Italian’, and that worries me,” Pique said eloquently. “Italy are at ease in defence and they are getting important results against excellent opponents.”
The Barcelona man is clearly an admirer of the excellent all-Juventus unit of Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini which forms Italy’s back three – or rather back four if one is to include Bianconeri goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.
Other teams which predictably find themselves amongst those which Pique believes will go far in the tournament are hosts France, world champions Germany and Croatia.
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