Del Piero delighted with Italy's run: We overcome that further step

With a 2-1 victory over Belgium, Italy advanced through the 

semi-finals. 

Roberto Mancini's team qualified for the Final Four at Wembley, thanks to goals from

Lorenzo Insigne

and

Nicola Barella

. 

Italy is only 90 minutes away from the Final, but they must first defeat Spain in the semi-finals on Tuesday. 

"We are more tactically prepared than any other team, there is a great commitment and everyone knows what to do on the pitch," 2006 Italy World Cup winner

Alessandro Del Piero

told Sky Sport Italia after the game.

"There is energy and friendship between the players. We can thank Lukaku for a couple of mistakes, but there are many positive aspects in this victory."

Del Piero looked to be teasing Patrick Vieira and Gary Neville, who had predicted that Italy would struggle against the championship's stronger teams.

"They might actually want to play their best team because the two games they've had so far, haven't been a test for them," the ex Manchester United defender had said after Italy's win over Switzerland.

Before a 2-1 triumph in extra time versus Austria in the Round of 16, Italy had conquered all three group stage matches. 

"I know they're getting a lot of plaudits at the start of the tournament with their first two performances," added Vieira after the second game of the group stage against Switzerland, the team that went on the eliminate France.

"They've done everything that's been asked of them, but I do feel once they start to play against the better teams, they won't have enough."

The Azzurri, on the other hand, succeeded in eliminating one of the true title contenders from the competition. 

Roberto Martinez's team could not capitalize on Romelu Lukaku's penalty before the half, as the former Everton manager has now lost eight of his nine games facing Roberto Mancini.

"Italy deserved to win; they've overcome that further step," claimed Del Piero.

"Many had asked themselves what Italy would have done against the top sides and we won with a great performance."

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