Gianluca Vialli told English fans to ‘show some humility’ and ‘stop thinking you will win’

Gianluca Vialli nicknaming the Italian defence the 'Inglorious Basterds'

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England made history last night with a 2-1 win over Denmark, sending the Three Lions into their first final since 1966. Harry Kane’s rebound from a missed penalty in extra time settled the game after a valiant effort from the Danes. Gareth Southgate’s side will meet Italy in the final, a side that has impressed so far in the tournament.

They are managed by former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini, but former Chelsea player Gianluca Vialli also plays a key role. He is currently part of the Italy national football team non-playing staff as a delegation chief. Vialli is familiar with English football, and has previously told England’s fans to “show some humility” as he attempted to diagnose the country’s tournament woes. In October 2017, he said: “I’ve been living in London for 20 years and I think it wouldn’t be a bad thing for a change if you went into an international competition not thinking that you are going to winning it hands down.

“Especially the fans, that creates too many expectations. Going into a competition with a bit more humility and lower expectations might help.

“I’m just saying, it might help the players and the manager to perform better and with that get better results.”

A year prior to his comments, England had crashed out of Euro 2016 thanks to a shock defeat to Iceland.

Vialli suggested that England players are mollycoddled in the Premier League.

He added: “England players are not trained to deal with pressure.

“In Italy, you lose a game, you can’t walk out of the stadium without having a police escort.

“You lose a game in England and you get out and, as long as you’ve done your best, you are asked to sign autographs and you see the kids and you see everybody and nothing happens.

“Pressure is a combination of expectations, scrutiny and consequences. If the consequences are grave, then you feel more pressure and if you feel more pressure you learn how to cope with that.”

Vialli was one of the most feared strikers in Europe when he moved from European champions Juventus to Chelsea in 1996.

He also managed the Blues, as well as Watford in his only two managerial appointments.

Vialli has endured personal struggle in recent years battling cancer.

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He revealed in November 2018 he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

He underwent chemotherapy and about 18 months later announced he was all clear of the disease.

Honest Vialli told RAI 1: “I cannot fight with cancer because I would not be able to win this battle, it is a much stronger opponent than me.

“Cancer is an unwanted travel companion, but I can’t help it.

“It got on the train with me and I have to go ahead (and) travel with my head down, never giving up, hoping that one day this unwanted guest will get tired and leave peacefully for many years because there are still so many things I want to do in this life.

“I realise that people can look at me, see that I am doing alright, and hope that they might do the same.

“Maybe because I was a footballer and a strong man, but also fragile and vulnerable at the same time, so I think someone may have recognised themselves in this.

“I’m here with all my faults and my many fears, but also with the desire to do something important.”

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