Italy must keep a low profile in Euro: Lippi

Italy's World Cup winning coach Marcello Lippi has said Italy must keep a low profile in order to have any chance of winning Euro 2016.

"It's better to start away from the spotlight, saying that Italy are not the favourites," Lippi, who coached Italy to World Cup glory in 2006, was quoted as saying by football-italia.net on Monday.

"Italy always goes to these tournaments to win them. But it's quite clear that we're going with less expectations this time, and that the odds are not in our favour."

Italy beat Scotland 1-0 in a friendly held on Sunday but Antonio Conte's outfit looked rusty. Lippi believes more of such games will help them get into the groove slowly.

"It's understandable that yesterday night the team should not have been brilliant, it's what happens when you call players back onto the pitch. That's why it must be done quite a while before the beginning of the tournament," Lippi said.

Lippi then went on to describe the current Italy side and their qualities.

"As a team we are aggressive and fast on the counter, with the Juventus core defensive line-up and a very compact group. As always, Italy will have its say in the Euros," he said.

"There are a few champions in this squad, everything else will depend on the drive and on Antonio Conte's excellent work."

"The team needs to maintain their historical qualities: a great goalkeeper, a great defence, a great core within the team, which has often been that of domestic champions Juventus."

--IANS

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