Italy manager, Roberto Mancini, has admitted his side had to suffer against Spain in their Euro 2020 semi-final on Tuesday night.
It is the Azzurri’s first major tournament final in nine years.
Mancini believes they have proven the doubters wrong by qualifying for the final.
The game ended 1-1 after 120 minutes at Wembley, but Italy were dominated in terms of possession, having about 35% of the ball and shots, with seven to Spain’s 16, before triumphing 4-2 on penalties.
“There are games where you have to suffer. They can’t all be as smooth as our progress so far. We knew it would be a tough game.
“That is why the players and everyone who worked with us over last three years deserve great credit, because it wasn’t easy,” Mancini told a news conference.
Italy will take on Denmark or England in Sunday’s final. It will be their first appearance in a final since they lost 4-0 to Spain at Euro 2012.
