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Conte hails win, but warns Italy 'hasn't achieved anything yet'

Reuters

Italy manager Antonio Conte is keeping a level head.

The fiery bench boss - who engineered a surprising 2-0 victory over Belgium in the Azzurri's opening match of Euro 2016 on Monday - warned his players that they haven't achieved anything just yet despite a solid performance that resulted in three important points.

Related: How the fluid tactics of 'ball-buster' Conte inspired Italy's win over Belgium

"It was a good game, played in the right way and prepared well," he told Rai Sport after the contest, per Football Italia.

"The lads knew how to suffer under pressure. We played against a very strong side who are among the favourites to win the tournament. When there is this kind of unity, we can do great things."

Conte was quick to point out that a victory in your opening match is meaningless if it isn't followed by similar results. It's a fact that isn't lost on Italy fans; the Azzurri won their first game at the 2014 World Cup, defeating England, before losses to Costa Rica and Uruguay saw the four-time world champion dumped in the group stage.

"We haven't achieved anything yet, but we hope to reach the point these lads deserve. I care that we are a team, nothing else. I have 23 talented lads who are happy with each other."

Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon echoed those sentiments, while also crediting the gaffer for the team's showing in Lyon.

"We won in the only way we can. It was a sign of humility and awareness. Our organisation came from the coach," the shot-stopper said.

"We must stay humble. This can't be a Pyrrhic victory, we must now look to Sweden."

Italy will meet Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the Swedes on Friday.

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