This time around, the eyes are quite like they were 13 months ago at Wembley, but Roberto Mancini can smile again after witnessing his team react to the difficulties faced recently, with a demonstration of character and spirit that took them to being European Champions: "It's a huge win, because it allows to fight for top spot and also we're now more relaxed for the draw for the next Euros. And, we've just beaten England, one of the strongest sides in the world," said Mancini after the game.

The Head Coach, who has now reached Valcareggi and Vicini for the number of games at the helm (54), also had to change to a 3-5-2 system due to the many absentees and injuries in the group. It paid off and brought many benefits to the side, with England unable to find the spaces they like and only carving out a couple of chances that were comfortably saved by Donnarumma: "The system doesn't matter, it's the spirit and personality of the players and the squad that count. We still have lots of difficulties ahead, we still have many young players in the ranks and during games we'll have to suffer at times. But today, they played very well. In a group with Germany and England, and with so many young players, we're going to the last game fighting for first place. This is really important seeing as we're going to have to grin and bear the next few months." Mancini also spoke about Ciro Immobile being ruled out: "We hope he can return for the Hungary game, we'll see how he is tomorrow."

Giacomo Raspadori's goal, his fourth for the Azzurri, was certainly the most important, and most beautiful, of them so far. After controlling superbly, spinning and firing from distance, it was a stunning goal from a true striker that broke the deadlock to a game that, up until that point, seemed headed for a draw: "Bonucci told me a few seconds before to play that move, and then we did. It was a great piece of play, a great goal. We gave a great performance against a strong outfit. We worked tirelessly, made many runs forward. We needed a win like that, we showed that we have the drive and ambition needed to succeed." 

Wearing the captain's armband, Leonardo Bonucci won the battle of the captains with Harry Kane. It was a performance to remember, in front of the fans he had asked to stick with the team pre-match: "The support from the fans was really important. They wanted to see pride for the shirt, lots of heart and courage, and I think we showed that. In this way, we can continue to grow and develop. We dropped back a little halfway through the second half, but we remained in control of the game. The team deserves the plaudits, we can now go to Hungary and fight for first place. We can't get the World Cup back, but it would be a step in the right direction if we were to get top spot."

Francesco Acerbi spoke afterwards about him feeling comfortable in playing in a back three: " 80% of our players play in a three, we have the people to play this way, it went pretty well. We wanted to win, fight hard and lay a marker down. If you don't play as a team and you don't help your teammates, you risk losing to anyone. With these ingredients, you can beat anyone."