Football
Ben Gladwell, Italy correspondent 8y

Conte sorry Italy denied Norway Euro 2016 place, backs them to win playoff

Italy coach Antonio Conte was apologetic -- to a certain extent -- for depriving Norway a place at Euro 2016 as the Italians made it 50 qualifying games in a row without a defeat in Rome on Tuesday night.

The Squadra Azzurra came from behind to defeat Norway, wrestling back top spot in Group H and extending an impressive record which dates back to a 3-1 defeat to France in September 2006. Since that defeat, just a few months after World Cup glory in Berlin, Italy have not lost any European Championship or World Cup qualifier, and they have not been much closer to losing than they were on Tuesday.

On the one hand, Conte was proud of his side's record, but the former Juventus coach also showed a bit of remorse.

"We've grown as a team, just like Norway have," Conte said at a news conference. "In fact, I'd like to applaud Norway because if there is one regret I have from this result, then it is that we have deprived them of qualifying directly -- they would have deserved to be directly there, but this is football.

"I'm convinced that Norway will qualify after the playoffs. I'd be happy if they do and I'd like to wish them all the best."

As for his own team, Conte praised their mentality, not only for fighting back from an "unwarranted" Norwegian opener to win, but for taking the game seriously when qualification had already been wrapped up with a 3-1 win in Azerbaijan on Saturday.

"Our overall objective is to give the Italian people something to be pleased of," Conte said. "I believe it matters more than the result, to give the fans emotions and enthusiasm. Tonight's game didn't mean too much to us in terms of the outcome, but a lot in terms of our mentality.

"If you have a winning mentality, you get used to winning and you don't interest yourself in other things. I'm happy. I'm happy with our application. This is the right path. Whether you win or lose, it's important to have this mentality. This was a show of strength from us; an important show of strength."

The next opportunity Italy have to show their strength will be against Belgium -- the side whose 3-1 victory over Israel on Tuesday deprived Italy of a place among the top seeds in the December 12 draw for next year's finals -- and Poland in two friendly matches next month.

Then Conte's men will face Spain and Germany in March.

"I think that we've just got to be very humble and keep our feet on the ground," Conte said. "We've got to be aware that this was a difficult group and we're still growing. We'll play against Germany and Spain in March and that is when we will start to realise who we are.

"It's too simplistic to dole out minimum and maximum aims -- we've just got to work hard and how far we go will be the direct result of our labours. If you want to understand that, then great, if not, amen."

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