The Italian football team, coached by Roberto Mancini, equalled the longest unbeaten run in their history following their 1-0 win over Wales in their final group stage fixture of Euro 2020.
Legendary Italian manager Vittorio Pozzo saw his side go 30 games unbeaten between 1935 and 1939, with 24 victories and six draws making up that run. Although, only 13 of those games were competitive in nature.
Mancini made eight changes to the playing XI that faced Switzerland earlier last week, and the 1-0 win on Sunday ensured the Azzurri rounded off their group stage campaign with a 100 per cent record.
30 - Italy have now equaled their best unbeaten run: 30 straight games without defeat between 1935 and 1939 under Vittorio Pozzo. Unstoppable.#ItalyWales #ITAWAL pic.twitter.com/acnsfCG84q
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) June 20, 2021
Italy have kept a clean sheet in each of their past 11 matches across all competitions. The only instance of the Azzurri going on a longer run was between 1972 and 1974, when they went 12 games without conceding a goal. Additionally, Mancini’s men have kept a clean sheet in 22 of their 41 European Championship matches (54%), three more than any other side (Germany, 18).
Italy's last 11 matches:
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 20, 2021
✅ 2-0 Estonia
✅ 2-0 Poland
✅ 2-0 Bosnia
✅ 2-0 Northern Ireland
✅ 2-0 Bulgaria
✅ 2-0 Lithuania
✅ 7-0 San Marino
✅ 4-0 Czech Republic
✅ 3-0 Turkey
✅ 3-0 Switzerland
✅ 1-0 Wales
ZERO goals conceded! 😳👏 pic.twitter.com/8w4mhIWRVM
Former Inter Milan and Manchester City head coach Roberto Mancini has won 25 and drawn five since his side lost to Portugal in September 2018. The 56-year-old, on achieving the landmark, warned his players to not get complacent in the upcoming fixtures.
“(Vittorio) Pozzo won many important trophies too, so we’re still far behind that level. Anyone who goes through to the Round of 16 can win the Euros, that’s for sure,” Mancini said.
“Every game is difficult, we mustn’t think that we can win every game or that any of this is to be taken for granted. We thank the people of Rome for all they’ve done for us and hope everyone can get back to enjoying themselves,” the Italy head coach added.
Featured photo: AFP / Filippo Monteforte
