CONTE: I HAD TO QUIT ITALY
No regrets over Chelsea move
IT all ended in tears for Antonio Conte, but not the kind usually associated with an england manager departing a major tournament.
Andrea Barzagli, one of Italy’s steadfast three-man defence, was choking back the sobs as he attempted to hold it together when he addressed the media.
‘It’s an infinite disappointment,’ said Barzagli, after Conte’s men had held the Germans at bay, and unsettled them enough to make them miss three penalties, but still ended up losing the shootout 6-5 . ‘We really wanted to stay all together.’
he had to pause, to stifle the tears, before adding: ‘Along the years, nothing will stay of the good things we have done — only the defeat.’
The bond that the former Italy boss, who will now become Chelsea manager, has created in this team is extraordinary.
You could see it on the pitch against Germany, a superior team but one Italy led 2-1 in the shootout after three penalties each.
even the Italian media were asking Conte whether he regretted leaving. But for Conte, who has a week off before starting his new job and heading off on a pre-season tour to Austria, it was all too late.
‘That decision was taken some time ago,’ he said. ‘It was always Conte against everyone. I’ve always fought for the interests of the national team, not for myself.
‘If I’m honest, I’ve never felt supported by anyone.
‘The president of the Italian federation has always been alongside me but he can only do so much.
‘My decision has been taken. It’s a shame, as we have created a family, and I hope what we leave can bear fruit. I have had two wonderful years culminating in this eight-week period and I will never stop thanking everyone as we created a magical atmosphere which came to an end on Saturday night.’
While the Italians sobbed, the Germans celebrated, with Manuel Neuer their hero. Striker Thomas Muller hailed Neuer as the best goalkeeper in the world and said the Germans will always win penalty shootouts with his Bayern Munich team-mate in goal. Neuer saved spot-kicks from Leonardo Bonucci and Matteo Darmian as a total of four Italians missed.
‘As a player, you never want a penalty shootout because it is a lottery to some extent,’ said Muller. ‘You would rather win in 90 minutes. But with Manuel in goal, we always have the advantage.’
Mario Gomez has been ruled out of the rest of euro 2016 after picking up a hamstring injury in the victory over Italy. he had to be replaced by Julian Draxler on 72 minutes. Sami Khedira is also set to miss out with a groin injury he suffered in the same game.
GERMANY (3-5-2): Neuer 9; Boateng 8, Hummels 8, Howedes 6; Hector 7, Khedira 6 (Schweinsteiger 16min, 6), Kroos 6, Kimmich 6, Ozil 7; Muller 5, Gomez 7 (Draxler 72, 6). Booked: Hummels, Schweinsteiger. Scorer: Ozil 65.
ITALY (3-5-2): Buffon 7; Barzagli 8, Bonucci 8, Chiellini 8 (Zaza 120); Florenzi 6 (Darmian 86, 6), Sturaro 6, Parolo 6, Giaccherini 7, De Sciglio 6; Pelle 7, Eder 6 (Insigne 108).
Booked: Sturaro, De Sciglio, Parolo, Pelle, Giaccherini. Scorer: Bonucci 78 pen.
Man of the match: Manuel Neuer. Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hun) 8.