FIGC president Carlo Tavecchio remains hopeful in both the Italian national team as well as soon-to-depart coach Antonio Conte.
While the Azzurri qualified for the European Championship at the top of their group, they have looked less than convincing under the leadership of newly appointed Chelsea coach Conte, especially following a disastrous 4-1 meeting against reigning World Champions and tournament favourites Germany.
“We first must focus on the group stages, but I hope we can make it to Paris for the finals,” Tavecchio told the Corriere dello Sport.
“We have a long and difficult path ahead of us, but we have a great coach in Conte and I am convinced he will take us somewhere good.
“Conte is our strength, our guarantee, our certainty. Without him, I wouldn’t be as optimistic.
Tavecchio was also quick to dismiss any notions that Conte was more focused on his new club Chelsea than he was with preparing the Nazionale for the Euros.
“I’m in contact with him very often, nearly every day, and I can assure you that he is driven and that he will give everything at the tournament,” Tavecchio assured fans.
“Having a person like Conte on the bench means that all of the players and the staff of the Nazionale will give more than 100 percent.”
