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Italy coach Roberto Mancini says “fate” owed him last night’s Euro 2020 triumph.
Italy are European champions after defeating England in the final at Wembley on penalties.
Mancini was in tears after the shootout and declared, “It’s the emotion that comes after doing something incredible. In the joy of the guys, the audience, of what we have created. It was 50 hard days but we had a good time together, without a problem. It was good, especially for having cemented the group in these 50 days. They are good guys and have created something indivisible in the future.
“I want to dedicate a piece to Paolo Mantovani, who was here with me when we lost it in the final against Barcelona and also to the Sampdorians. One piece is especially them and then to my family and everyone. I played in a great national team, in a great Under 21, but despite being the best ever, I managed not to win. We both lost on penalties. Sometimes, fate owed me something.”
On goalkeeper Gigio Donnarumma, he added: “Having him is lucky for us, he’s the best in the world. I’m glad he’s one of us.”
About the embrace with his assistant Gianluca Vialli, Mancini concluded: “We were here against Barcelona. We suffered a lot. Then we have been friends for a lifetime, I think something so beautiful, important, that no one had ever done … Win the European since ’68, bringing back the Coppa to Italy, it’s incredible. And then we got excited because we are old. “