Roma midfielder Alessandro Florenzi believes Italy can be difficult opponents during the upcoming European Championship, and hopes for a rematch of the 2012 final against Spain.
Italy topped their group during the qualifying stage, but enter the tournament unseeded and have already suffered several key injuries, leaving their chances of success in doubt.
“There are a lot of champions and a lot of good teams,” Florenzi told Sky Sport Italia.
“Of course every team wants to win, but I think Germany, France, and Spain are the favourites.”
Compared to tournaments of years gone by, the expectation on the peninsula of an Azzurri success is fairly low.
Florenzi acknowledges this, but being underdogs doesn’t mean that they can completely be ruled out.
“Italy are outsiders, but if we work hard and play the way coach Antonio Conte wants us to, we can definitely have a great tournament.
“I feel good, and we are a good group, we will go and give our best.
“We hope to give all of Europe a difficult time but personally, my ideal final would be another Italy versus Spain.
Florenzi also joked about the potential inclusion of his Roma teammate and captain Francesco Totti, who has not featured for the Azzurri since winning the 2006 World Cup.
“I don’t know if Totti will play with the Nazionale, maybe,” he stated.
