ROME – Monday’s front page of Corriere dello Sport summed up the national mood in Italy rather well: “We are a fairy tale”.
The Azzurri could not have hoped for a better start to Euro 2020, winning all three matches to top Group A and set up a Last-16 tie against the runner-up in Group C.
Antonio Conte said they are “one of the candidates to go all the way”, while Claudio Ranieri described them as “an Italy team to applaud”.
Much of the excitement stemming from Sunday’s 1-0 victory over Wales is down to the way Roberto Mancini’s side dominated despite rotating eight new players into the starting line-up.
Mancini’s ability to implement a strong identity since taking over i…
Keep on reading: Fairytale Italy create buzz, belief with Euro 2020 exploits