Hardly anyone would have been courageous enough to put money on Italy for them to reach Euro Round of 8 and that too by surpassing Spain.

In fact in the views of the pundits, Italy never had been to a big competition with such an average squad.

You probably could not totally disagree to it even as an Italy supporter to be honest because of the lack of the impact players that the squad actually had.

There was no extraordinary potential in the offensive line or at the centre of the pitch (barring Daniele De Rossi who is in his thirties).

Eder, maybe a few would argue, is not a bad player, but, is he breath-taking or even the other two or three strikers? No.

With enormous experience lying in the defence and the goal, those two departments were in safe hands yes, but, the games are not won solely with the backline solidity, are they?
However, what Italy had got to make up for all the lacking was the calmness of the players, and the shrewdness of the head coach.

Generally, teams play to their strengths, but, Italy played to its weakness if you can say so.
In spite of not being powerful enough attackingly, they still chose to invade the opponents rather than just be in their own half making the clearances and hoping to be lucky.

Spain would not have foreseen such approach from Italy at all. It was all attacking play from the Blues catching the opposition unprepared for that.

You can’t help imagining what this Italian team could have done with a highly skilled striker upfront and that’s something the new management can look at. Maybe having Balotelli back is the solution. One last chance, who knows?

Italian player, Vito Mannone, currently with English Premier League side Sunderland is set to get his contract extended at the club, according to latest reports.

The agent of the player, Roberto de Fanti, told reporters that the club has opened discussions regarding the future of Mannone.

The 28-year old player will enter the final year of his current deal with the club, and the club says it would extend the contract. Mannone reestablished himself as the club’s first choice goalkeeper back from Costel Pantilimon last season. He was brilliant as he helped keep the dream of top flight football alive.

De Fanti, who was the director of football at the Stadium of Light for seven months in 2013, and now Mannone’s agent said:

“He has a year left on his contract and he would be happy to stay. We hope to find a solution, otherwise we will evaluate. Today, however, his future, I see it in England.”

De Fanti made the announcement in Italy at an interview with Tutto Mercato. He also confirmed that Fabio Borini will also remain at the club. De Fanti also represents Borini who joined from Liverpool on a permanent deal in the last campaign. There were reports that the player could move to another club after his below par performance, after his deal was finally made permanent. He was better in the previous two seasons where he played on loan from Anfield, though he was still a regular, his performance didn’t meet previous levels.

There were speculations that both player could return to the Serie A but the in the interview, De Fanti killed such as he said both Italians were pleased to continue in the Premier League. He claimed both players saw Italy as home but would continue playing in “the best league.”