Saturday, June 11, 2016

Workmanlike mentality gives Italy hope against Belgium (Reuters)

Italy's Graziano Pelle and team mates during training. REUTERS/Yves Herman

By John Irish LYON, France (Reuters) - Plagued by injuries to his creative midfielders and without a talisman up front, Italy coach Antonio Conte is banking on a workmanlike team full of energy to outfox Belgium's exciting young forwards when they meet on Monday. Once famed for their "catenaccio", a tactical system with an emphasis on a strong defensive unit, Italy come to the tournament with arguably their weakest team for years and conceding goals particularly against top teams. Despite opening the scoring, the Italians were beaten comfortably 3-1 by Belgium in a November friendly.


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