Marko Arnautovic insists Austria ‘mustn’t be afraid’ against Italy
Austria striker Marko Arnautovic maintains he has nothing to worry about Italy defenders Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci ahead of their Euro 2020 last-16 tie.
Italy
will face
Austria
in the second Euro 2020 last-16 tie at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
In an interview with Sky Sport Italia, the former
West Ham Unitedstriker insisted they should not be scared of Italy’s defense and have to play their own brand of football.
“People might make it seem bad when they say that Italy have kept 11 consecutive clean sheets, but that shouldn’t matter to us. We have to play our football,”
Arnautovic told Sky Sport Italia
.
“We are facing an exceptional team, world-class, you just have to look at where their players are at club level. The coach Roberto Mancini is also world-class.
“The statistics of the Italy side say it all, but this is just one match, it lasts 90 minutes and we mustn’t be afraid.”
For Italy,
Juventuscenter-back
Giorgio Chiellini
has returned to training after picking up an injury during his side’s game against
Switzerland
, but his participation against Austria is in doubt.
Francesco Acerbi
is expected to partner with
Bonucci
to form Italy's defense line.
“What Chiellini and Bonucci achieved together and how long they’ve been playing as a unit is incredible,”
added Arnautovic
.
“I can only say that I am not scared. This is a very, very important match, it doesn’t matter if you are 20, 25 or 32 years old.
“Being in the last 16 of a tournament like this is truly a big deal for Austria.”
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