Florenzi: We want our football to do the talking

Roma star Alessandro Florenzi believes Italy can build on their fine start to the Euros, after illustrating their team spirit in the opening win over Belgium.

Florenzi was a proud observer from the bench as the Azzurri beat the Red Devils 2-0 in their Group E opener on Monday, an impressive victory that few pundits had predicted beforehand.

The manner of the display has already seen many commentators re-assess Antonio Conte's side.

Florenzi's Giallorossi teammate Daniele De Rossi started the game in Lyon.

"Maybe we're not the team we were made out to be before the Euros began," Florenzi, who became a father prior to the tournament getting underway, told reporters on Wednesday.

"People said we were a poor team that wouldn't make it through the group stage.... Lots of people have had to eat their words but we'll let the others have their say; we want to let our football do the talking.”

What's it like being a dad?

“Sorry about my voice – we were all screaming our heads off on the bench the other day. My daughter's birth is the biggest event of my life. It totally changes your way of thinking. I'm proud to have helped bring a new life into this world and I'm sure she'll make our own lives better.”

Do you think you're a good fit on the left wing in a five-man midfield?

“I think I can do a good job wherever the boss wants me to play in a midfield five. I have no problem closing down opponents – I'll do whatever the gaffer wants me to do. Apart from in front of the defence, I think I can play anywhere. I can harry the opposition and get forward too.”

Looking at the Belgium game there seems to be a fantastic team spirit in the Italy camp...

"I've always bought into the idea that the team should come first, and I'm not just saying that. You could see it from the way we celebrated our second goal – the ref could have booked all 12 of us for that but we really wanted to show our support from the bench. It would have been exactly the same thing if we'd been on the pitch and those who were playing had been on the bench.”

What's that team spirit down to?

“A lot of the credit has to go to Antonio Conte for instilling the right values in us. But we shouldn't get caught up in what people say; we have to go out there and prove ourselves again on the pitch.”

How strong is the Roma/Lazio rivalry in the Italy squad?

"There should be no rivalries when you're playing for Italy.”

Do you expect to play against Sweden?

“I've been ready to play since 18 May. I feel good and I'm here for the boss if he needs me.”

Did you talk to Radja Nainggolan about the transfer rumours before the match on Monday?

“I just wished him luck for the game and told him I missed him.”

Italy are the team who have run the most. Why is that?

“When everyone's running towards the same objective it feels less tiring – you could even do 100 km. That's why we run so much. Hopefully we'll keep it up in our other matches.”

What do you make of Ireland?

“Ireland ran hard, pressed hard and caused real problems for Sweden for parts of the match. We managed to beat Belgium by two goals but there haven't been many games yet in this tournament where there have been big win margins; they've all been very tight and hard-fought.”

Italy's next group game comes against Sweden on 17 June.