Antonio Conte: Belgium the favourite to advance from Group E
The Italian national team learned its European Championship group stage fate on Saturday, drawn into Group E with Belgium, Ireland, and Sweden, and after the big reveal manager Antonio Conte downplayed his team's chances of winning the group.
"I think Belgium are an excellent team, and are among the favourites for the final stages," Conte told reporters. "They have a young team, and a lot of top players in their ranks.
"Then I see pretty equal teams with Sweden, us, and Ireland. I think Belgium are among the favourites."
#Conte "We don't have to panic, we know that we're capable and that we'll have to improve."
#VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/AFVkXnVTPg
— Italy (@azzurri) December 12, 2015
While Italian supporters will be pleased at having avoided some of the bigger names from Pot 1 like England, Germany, and Spain, Belgian FA president Francois De Keersmaecker is looking forward to competing with the Italians in Group E, saying the fixture "will be a spectacle."
"It's a tough draw, but with enough desire we should be able to beat anyone," De Keersmaecker explained. "But it is a top draw, so it is something to look forward to. We have to go for it. It is not an easy group, with Ireland and Sweden. Every match can be decisive."