Belgium’s Dries Mertens admits he feels a bit Italian
Napoli striker Dries Mertens says Euro 2020 quarter-final clash between Belgium and Italy is a special game for him as he feels a bit Italian after almost 8 years at Napoli.
Two of the favorites to win Euro 2020 will lock horns on Friday, as
Belgium
take on
Italy
at the Euro 2020 quarter-final.
“It is a special game for me, as I’ve been in Italy for years, so it can’t help but be special,”
assured the Napoli striker in his press conference
.
He also earned himself a Neapolitan nickname because of how well he was settled into life in the city.
“Do I feel Italian? A bit, yes. Maybe I gesture like an Italian… I like to have fun, Naples is a beautiful city and it makes me very happy.”
The striker insisted that he has not contacted his teammates in the Azzurri squad since they were paired against each other in the tournament.
“They play beautiful football and are a team who impressed everyone in this tournament,”
continued Mertens
.
“They’ve got a great squad and played the best football in the group stage, they were very entertaining to watch. They combine youth with experience and not everyone expected Italy to be this strong.
“It’s difficult to compare Italy with Sarri’s Napoli. I see Jorginho at the center of their play and he is an extraordinary player, but this Italy really is a collective and we cannot concentrate on just one player.”
Belgium’s golden generation are still in form. However, Euro 2020 could be their last chance to reach glory. But the striker believes it is not their last chance to get their hands on a trophy.
“I don’t think so. We must be realistic, we have a chance and it’s not easy, but I don’t think it’s our last chance.”
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