Patrick Vieira says Italy will struggle to go all the way in Euro 2020 despite becoming the first team to make it through to the knockout stages of the tournament.
Vieira was not satisfied with Italy’s performance during their 3-0 win over Switzerland on Wednesday – claiming Roberto Mancini’s side lack ‘intensity, power and pace’.
Gary Neville agreed with the World Cup winner by saying Italy will ‘fall short’ at Euro 2020 despite claiming six points from their opening two group games.
Speaking after Italy’s victory on Wednesday night, Vieira told ITV: ‘I think the first two games that they played were two easy games.
‘Of course… you have to [beat] what is in front of you, but I still have doubts they can go to the end.
‘I believe that they lack intensity, lack power, pace, to be even more dangerous going forward, so I’m still going to wait.
‘I think it’s still a bit too early to take Italy into consideration, that they can go to the end.’
Speaking after Italy’s victory on Wednesday night, Vieira told ITV: ‘I think the first two games that they played were two easy games.
‘Of course… you have to [beat] what is in front of you, but I still have doubts they can go to the end.
‘I believe that they lack intensity, lack power, pace, to be even more dangerous going forward, so I’m still going to wait.
‘I think it’s still a bit too early to take Italy into consideration, that they can go to the end.’
Despite Vieira and Neville’s concerns, Mancini will be feeling confident heading into the knockout stages of the competition.
Italy are now unbeaten in 29 games in all competitions – registering their last loss in a UEFA Nations League game against Portugal in 2018.
Only once in their history have they completed a longer run without suffering a defeat (30 games between November 1935 to July 1939).
Additionally, Mancini will be looking to not only break their own record but also become the first team since Germany in Euro 2012 to record three group-stage wins.
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