Roberto Mancini revelled in defying expectations after leading Italy to the final of Euro 2020 with a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Spain on Tuesday.
Italy's transformation under Mancini over the past three years has been extraordinary. A team that failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup is now unbeaten in 33 internationals and on the brink of a second continental title.
The Azzurri were made to fight all the way against Spain, taking the lead through Federico Chiesa's brilliant goal but being pegged back as Alvaro Morata's equaliser made it 1-1 and forced extra time before the Mancini's men prevailed 4-2 on penalties.
"When you play in a World Cup or a European Championship it is intense, and there always comes a game where you have to dig in and suffer to win," said Mancini.
"It can't all be smooth as our progress had been up to now.
"We knew this was the one that was going to be really tough and that is why I think the players and everyone who has worked with us over the last three years deserves a lot of credit because it has not been easy by any means.
"Almost nobody believed we could do it and yet we are in the final, so we are pleased for Italians everywhere."
Italians took to the streets across the country to celebrate while 11,000 of their fans - all UK-based as restrictions prevented supporters abroad from travelling - were inside Wembley to see Jorginho score the decisive kick in the shoot-out.
Italy were in a mess after losing to Sweden in a 2018 World Cup qualifying play-off and Mancini had to pick up the pieces.
He has rebuilt them, and at this Euro they have been almost the complete side: from the veteran centre-back pairing of Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci to brilliant attacking full-backs, a gifted midfield trio of Marco Verratti, Jorginho and Nicolo Barella, and a livewire front line.
"The players wanted to play a brand of football that people enjoyed and thus far they have managed to do exactly that," added Mancini.
Whether it is England or Denmark on Sunday, Italy should fancy their chances on current form and their record at getting to major tournament finals is enough to strike fear into any opponent.
-
ITALY RATINGS: Gianluigi Donnarumma 7 - A big save in the first half kept the game even. The young goalkeeper had to deal with much more than usual on the night and dealt with the majority of questions asked. Saved Morata's penalty to put his side in position to win the shootout. -
Emerson 7 - The Chelsea man had the difficult task of replacing Leonardo Spinazzola on Tuesday night and looked comfortable on the left flank. Surging runs up the park opened up the attack for Italy in some of their most dangerous moments. -
Giorgio Chiellini 7 - No nonsense from Chiellini. The veteran defender may not have the passing range of some other players but his defensive work was as strong as ever at Wembley. -
Giovanni Di Lorenzo 6 - Alert to the danger from a cross that was destined for Ferran Torres. Sometimes over-exuberant with a number of fouls. -
Marco Verratti 6 - Had a difficult evening with Koke intent on reducing the playmaker’s time on the ball. Italy’s midfield couldn’t seem to control the game as well as usual at Wembley. -
Nicolo Barella 5 - Tasked with nullifying Sergio Busquets who was having success transitioning the ball forwards. The Internazionale midfielder has been impressive throughout the tournament but he wasn’t at his best on Tuesday. -
Lorenzo Insigne 5 - Not as effective as usual in a fairly quiet display from one of Italy’s best players at the tournament. Replaced by Belotti in the 85th minute. -
Ciro Immobile 5 - Worked hard but not involved much overall. Replaced just after the hour. -
SUB: Domenico Berardi (Immobile 62) 6 - An instant spark on the attack and forced Spain’s defence back. Should have done better with a couple of opportunities. -
SUB: Matteo Pessina (Verratti 74) N/A - The Atalanta star has scored twice so far at Euro 2020 but couldn’t add to his tally on Tuesday night. -
SUB: Rafael Toloi (Emerson 74) N/A - On for Emerson who had worked hard throughout the night. -
SUB: Andrea Belotti (Insigne 85) N/A - Ran the channels well to provide an out-ball for teammates. -
Unai Simon 7 - Sloppy start to second half and seemed reluctant to use his hands at times, but then made key saves, including in the penalty shoot out. -
Cesar Azpilicueta 6 - Difficult to deal with Insigne on the left but good interception led to an attack where Busquets shot just over. His epic year so far ended here, but Spain’s issues were more up front than in defence. -
Aymeric Laporte 8 - Spain’s best defender. He played a high line, a tactic vindicated as Spain had 70 per cent possession in the first half – an incredible stat. Made a key block just before Italy took the lead with a devastating counter. Touched the ball 160 times – more than any player in any game at the tournament. -
Jordi Alba 7 - Set up Oyarzabal on 39 minutes in another rapid Spain move. Supported attacks, got wide and forward to give options. Carried the captain’s armband with pride at the end. -
Pedri 9 - Key player as Spain totally outplayed Italy in the first half. Lovely first time passes as Spain dominated in midfield. The only player with 100 per cent passing accuracy in the first half – and he completed more than Verratti and Jorginho combined. -
Sergio Busquets 8 - A master of the dark arts, he was eyeball to eyeball with Chiellini as the first half came to an end. He and Barça teammate Pedri were the main men. Badly missed when he went off. -
Mikel Oyarzabal 6 - Started for first time in tournament. Played right and was one on one after 39 but ballooned the ball over the bar. Missed a header from six yards at the far most after 67 – another superb chance for Spain. -
Ferran Torres 7 - Played left of Olmo in a surprise Spain starting XI. Shot wide after 14 minutes as Spain got over a pressured start to attack. Spain pressed hard and high and got their tactics right. -
Daniel Olmo 7 - Surprise start ahead of Morata. Dropped into midfield when needed as Spain played a false nine. It confused and drew the Italians out in the first half. Shot wide after 67 minutes but set up Morata for the equaliser. Terrible penalty in the shoot out. -
SUB: Morata 7 (On for Torres after 61). Couple of half chances but didn’t look confident – like when he had to strike for goal on 77 but was too hesitant. And then he scored, a clever, calm finish after 79. Poor, slow, penalty though. -
SUB: Rodri 6 (On for Koke on 69). Played deep, too deep when Busquets went off. -
SUB: Gerard Moreno 6 (On for Oyarzabal on 69). Couldn’t finish an epic season on a high. Scored his penalty, though. -
SUB: Marcos Llorente 6 (On for Azpilicueta on 85). Made a difference on the right. -
SUB: Thiago 5 (On for Busquets after 106). He was poor and gave the ball away too many times. Incredible confidence for his penalty though. -
SUB: Pau Torres (On for Garcia on 109).
Euro 2020 will see them make their 10th appearance in a final, with six at the World Cup and three at previous European Championships.
"There is still one step to go and now we have to rest up because this really was very challenging," added Mancini. "When you go into your sixth match with all the travelling it does become very tiring."
Italy will hope the seventh is even more memorable.
"Playing for my country in matches like these, representing 60 million Italians, was an unbelievable dream," said Juventus forward Chiesa, the son of Mancini's old Sampdoria teammate Enrico Chiesa.
Asked who he would rather play against in the final, Italy's goal-scorer insisted he was not worried.
"We need to just think about ourselves, as we have done in this tournament. That is what has got us so far."
