ITALY COACH ROBERTO Mancini hailed his side’s performance and said his team “dominated” England after conceding an early goal at Wembley on Sunday to win the Euro 2020 final.
“We did well. We conceded a goal straight away and struggled, but then we dominated the game,” Mancini told RAI Sport following the 3-2 win on penalties after the match ended 1-1 after extra time.
“The lads were wonderful, I don’t know what more to say. It’s important for all the people and all the fans.
“I hope they’re celebrating (in Italy).”
Leonardo Bonucci cancelled out Luke Shaw’s half-volley in the second half, and the two teams could not be separated in extra time.
It went to a shoot-out, with Gianluigi Donnarumma making two decisive saves after Marcus Rashford hit the woodwork.
Italy won the title for the second time after 1968.
“It’s incredible, when I think back to where we started,” said 34-year-old defender Bonucci.
Italy are now on a 34-match unbeaten run, bouncing back in style after suffering the humiliation of failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
“When you are at the bottom of the hole, you see how great men regain their strength,” Bonucci added.
“I want to say thank you to our great coach, our great team, our great country. We are full of joy and happiness.”
Captain Giorgio Chiellini said “there was something magical in the air” since the tournament kicked off in Rome a month ago.
“A few tears fell. We all deserved it, at this age we realise even more what it means to win such a trophy,” said the 36-year-old.
“We have been saying that something magical is in the air since the end of May, day after day.”
Donnarumma replaced veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon after the qualifying disaster three years ago.
“We were amazing, we didn’t give up an inch. We did it from scratch, we are a fantastic team and we deserve this success,” said Donnarumma.
“The goal could have killed us, but we always remained vigilant and never give up.”
What a legend! Amazing stuff altogether
Fair play Alex O’Shea.
I wouldn’t do it in a fecking car.
Serious brain training needed for that as well. People forget you need good mental and physical health to keep yourself going with stuff like that! Well done man
That’s some going!
Snickers.
That’s 20mins faster than when I was at my peak, unless you’ve run one,you can’t really appreciate the achievement of running it in a fireman suit.
His feet must of been in agony wearing those boots. But fair play to him.
That must’ve been tough
Great achievement. The thought of having to cook the dinner is tiring me out.
Absolutely amazing, buy that man a drink.
Hero, no doubt
Fair play to that guy, i ran my first marathon last year so i know the amount of training required. The marathon itself is great but the training is horrible.
He must have some engine because he completely burned the world record.
I see what you did there
Fair play to him and running for my favourite charity just makes him more endearing to me
Animal of a man.
Well done Alex.passed you on the straight road and you were in the zone.sum man for one man
And a gentleman to boot! Well done kid.
Fair play to you Alex, thats some record
Well done.
Some time as well.
Alex.
A great achievement.
well done!
FairPlay Alex…You burned up the course!
Fair play to him. I was at the Relay For Life in Donegal over the weekend and there was a lad there who cycled non stop for 24 hours. How do these people do it? Nutjobs if you ask me
Would ya be well