Ekun Samuel, /14 June 2016/ 6:00AM.
Italy possess the team with the oldest set of players but regardless of that still showed calmness and resilience . Italy's starting XI v Belgium is the oldest of any country in the history of the European Championship (31 years 169 days). Buffon became the oldest player to represent Italy at the Euros (38 years 136 days) and the sixth-oldest overall to appear at the tournament. It was his 14th game at the European Championship with Italy, also a record for a player.
Obviously, the maturity showed when it matters most on the field of play as their organisation and team spirit saw them defeats the most rated and expensive team in this tournament. Pundits prior to the game has condemned Italy squad for lack of quality and even the Italian coach Antonio Conte said: "It isn't a good time for our football." But obviously that showed the class of manager he is working with what he has at his disposal as he added;"It's important the squad has a good spirit. I work a lot at this."
Belgium by far has the most gifted and talented squad on paper but were tamed by the Italians who played like a team showing desire and commitment maintaining a good team spirit and organisation as the Belgium goal keeper Thibaut Courtios confirmed after the game by saying; "Now we have to win the other two matches and be a better team. Italy outclassed us in organisation, and tactically they were the best team."
Ex-England defender and BBC Pundit added; "That was a perfect example of one playing like a team, the other like a group of individuals. What was so impressive is the way they can go from defence to attack so quickly."
The Italians who went unbeaten through qualifying winning seven of their ten matches, have gone unbeaten with Belgium at major tournament winning 3 draw 1. They last night showed the Belgium team what they are made of by two goals to nothing. Goals from Sunderland's Giaccherini in the first half after collecting Leonardo Bonucci's superb long pass, and Southampton's Pelle who sealed the win in injury time (90+2) with an emphatic volley following an incisive break was enough to give Italy a comfortable win.
Such a fine start from the Italians has no doubt boost and elevate their morales and self confidence in dominating the Group.
