Euro 2016: Italy looking to heal open wounds from 2014 World Cup, says Antonio Conte

Italy began Brazil 2014 with a win over England but 1-0 defeats to Costa Rica and Uruguay saw them exit the World Cup at the group stage.

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Antonio Conte celebrated his team’s opening goal with the squad on the bench and gave himself a nosebleed in the process. (Source: Reuters)

Italy’s great start to Euro 2016 is tempered by memories of the last World Cup when they also opened with a win before crashing out of the tournament, coach Antonio Conte said after Monday’s 2-0 victory over Belgium.

The Azzurri began Brazil 2014 with a 2-1 win over England but 1-0 defeats to Costa Rica and Uruguay saw them exit the World Cup at the group stage for the second consecutive tournament.

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“We still have this open wound from two years ago at the World Cup,” Conte told reporters after goals from Emanuele Giaccherini and Graziano Pelle fired Italy to victory over Belgium.

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“Even after an excellent performance against England, we still went home after the first round of the competition.”

In the build-up to this year’s championships in France, Conte has been at pains to play down Italy’s prospects, saying he was relying on strong team spirit to have even an outside chance.

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“But now we’re here. As I’ve said, the players have realised in order to make waves here and achieve something, they have to do something extraordinary,” Conte said.

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“I hope tonight’s performance in no way satisfies the desire and thirst of my players and myself.

“It was a good performance but we’re keeping our feet on the ground. We have to keep working with the same desire.”

Conte’s adventurous 3-5-2 formation, with Antonio Candreva and Matteo Damian out wide behind strikers Pelle and Eder, paid off handsomely as his team sealed the win with a goal in each half.

While Belgium are now bottom of Group E, after Sweden and Ireland drew 1-1, Conte said he was not writing them off.

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“This result in no way diminishes Belgium’s chances of winning the European Championship. I really believe they’re a terrific side and they’re going to go a long way in the competition.”

Italy next play Sweden on Friday, with their remaining group game against Ireland.