Italy coach Antonio Conte has said that the fear of losing powers him to perform.
Former Juventus coach Conte took over national responsibilities last year, after Cesare Prandelli stepped down following Italy’s disastrous 2014 FIFA world cup campaign.
“I hate to lose. In my career I’ve lost important games and realized how much it hurts,” said Conte to RAI Sport at the Grand Hotel Chiambretti.
The coach then referred to the infamous “rainy day in Perugia,” when Juventus lost the 2000 Scudetto.
“After the defeat to Perugia in 2000, I wasn’t able to sleep for five days. You must know how to lose, but also try to do everything to win.
“When I lose, I try to transmit all my negative emotions to the players, so that they try extra hard not to lose the next match.”
The 45-year-old Azzurri tactician has set his sights on Euro 2016, but warns that it will be an extremely difficult competition.
“We play to win, but as they say, we’re trying to work out a miracle.
“I want to work on the pitch and I haven’t had got that many opportunities.When I get frustrated with the situation, I tend to show it, as happened when I talked about get-together.”
