Two coaches.Two football philosophies.Two different worlds.But one same task ahead of them – to win, to be the champion.Gareth Southgate and Roberto Mancini are spending their last moments before tonight’s EURO 2020 finals (22.00, live coverage at Mozzart Sport Kenya starting at 21.00), tidying up those very last tactical bits and pieces that need to be solved before the kick-off.They haven’t changed a bitGareth Southgate & Roberto Mancini#Euro2020Final #ENGvsItaly #ENG #ITA (📷 @OldSchoolPanini) pic.twitter.com/hi9ftcrTQo— Francis Keogh (@HonestFrank) July 11, 2021 It’s an intense and probably extremely cautious game in prospect, with both sides having too much to lose, so it will be a genuine surprise to see plenty of chances on either end.Of course, the home court and a full-packed Wembley, mostly embellished with English fans, will be a tremendous driving force for Southgate’s side. The England tactician – a tragic hero of the EURO 1996 – sounds confident and determined to clinch his place in the beautiful game’s history.Southgate cheers his players during the semi-final (©Visionhaus/Getty Images)”We’re in a final, and we are here to win,” Southgate said.”Everything is important, how we’ve represented people, and we’re pleased that legacy has been there, but now we want to go and bring the trophy home for everybody,” the 50-year-old added.Stuart ‘Psycho’ Pearce’s speech will make the hair on the back of your neck stand upOn the other hand, unlike Southgate – a true blue-collar humble defender in his playing days – Roberto Mancini was an effortless, charming forward. That’s probably the reason their current sides demonstrate two contrary styles. The Italian claims he won’t give up on his way of play, not even in this larger-than-life fixture.Italy’s 70-year-old central defence partnership relishes the challenge of England’ young lions”We have to be calm, knowing that it will be a difficult match, for a lot of reasons,” Mancini said Saturday.”We have to remain focused on our game and try to impose it the best we can, knowing that it will be the last match.”So if we want to enjoy ourselves for another 90 minutes, we have to do so at Wembley. Then the Euros will finish, and the guys will go on vacation.”Mancini celebrates the semi-final victory with his team (©Claudio Villa/Getty Images)Huh, it does sound quite simple and relaxed when an Italian speaks about it, doesn’t it?
