“I don't know if they will be like Xavi and Iniesta but they have quality, they are scary”

Claudio Ranieri, like almost all Italians, believes in Azzurra. The coach spoke of the quarterfinals of this Euro with an opinion column in 'La Gazzetta dello Sport', defining Italy-Belgium as “the most open match”. The strength of those of Martínez “is their united block”, although then there is the arm (Lukaku), the mind (De Bruyne) and the poetry, Hazard: “A star to whom I have a special affection for the goal he scored against Tottenham five years ago, thanks to which I was champion of England with Leicester.” Ranieri revealed an anecdote about the madridista: “I went to visit Sarri at Chelsea and thanked Eden, we laughed. He has something special, the spirit of a street footballer. “For the coach, Italy must imitate him,” having a good time when you can and defending yourself when the rival forces you to do it. “Whatever happens, for the former Leicester player “Italy showed the best football, for continuity and beauty.”

The Italian also spoke of the other crosses. Spain now “is scary” and its players “carry a remote control on their feet.” “I do not know if these players will be like Xavi and Iniesta but there is a lot of quality, “he added. He also pointed out for the Red that you have to be careful with Petkovic's Switzerland, underlining the gifts of Xhaka (” impressive “) and Seferovic, which Italy left escape without giving him time “to absorb the culture of a new country.”

Denmark, meanwhile, “after Eriksen's scare showed a nice and happy football, a great reaction”, while the Czech Republic clings to Schick, who the coach knows well: “We met in Rome and I thought it was a flower it was about to blossom. I wanted him to play together with Dzeko, he didn't understand why they didn't work together. ” Finally, Ranieri praised England: “The lions are back to being lions. Sterling is breaking it and my Harry Kane finally scored a goal.” With a wish: “I would love an England-Italy final. Ukraine, yes, has a great advantage: it has nothing to lose and can play calmly. That, in football, is a huge resource.”