The Italian national team clinched a spot in the Euro 2020 quarter-final round following the dramatic win against Austria in the Round of 16.
As was the case throughout its Euro 2020 group stage run, multiple players stepped up for Italy during the win against Austria, including Lazio center-back Francesco Acerbi.
The Biancocelesti defender earned a start in the match and helped keep Austria to a mere one goal scored over 120 minutes of the match.
Overall, Acerbi sees that unity has been a key part of Italy’s run so far in this tournament and will also be decisive in just how far the Azzurri goes in the knockout stage.
The Lazio defender spoke further to UEFA’s official website about this matter.
If we all give our all, we are all rowing in the same direction. Everyone has to give 100 percent. Then you can make mistakes, but if you make a mistake, there’s a teammate, if a teammate makes a mistake there’s me. That’s the group.
It doesn’t matter if you make a mistake, because there is a teammate who has my back. No one is perfect, no one wins games alone. Otherwise, [Lionel] Messi would have always won the World Cup with Argentina. I know that when I make a mistake, there is [Leonardo] Bonucci or Gigi [Donnarumma] who saves.
That is the strength of the group. You always have to give 100 percent knowing that your teammate is doing the same and that if you need a hand, he will give it to you.
Italy is now set for another major test against Belgium in the Euro 2020 quarter-final round.
Both Acerbi and Lazio forward Ciro Immobile may feature in this match as Italy looks to secure a spot in the semifinals of this tournament.
