Conte positive about Azzurri

Antonio Conte says he is pleased with the way his Italy side are shaping up ahead of Euro 2016.

The Azzurri coach watched on as a 27th-minute penalty from Antonio Candreva and a 71st-minute effort from Daniele De Rossi saw them claim a comfortable 2-0 win in their final warm-up game for the tournament against Finland.

Italy’s lack of world-class talent has led to pessimism at home but the comfortable performance on Monday will have given both the sold-out crowd in Verona and those watching at home plenty of cause for optimism.

Conte’s men, who have been drawn in Group E alongside Belgium, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland, are currently priced at 2.80 to top the group.

They begin their campaign on Monday against the Belgians in Lyon, a game they are currently 3.00 to win, with the draw also 3.00 and the Red Devils priced at 2.50.

Having taken over from Cesare Prandelli following his country’s group-stage exit at the 2014 World Cup, the 46-year-old has already confirmed he will leave his role after the tournament to join Chelsea. For now, he is focused on helping his troops try and emulate their achievements in reaching the final of the European Championship four years ago.

He told reporters: “I have a fine group of players and above all of men. I hope to continue working the way we have been, with determination and the desire to overcome obstacles. “It’s certainly an eager side in every respect, it has desire, and in a moment that is not easy for us, I consider that to be very important.”