Monday 27 June 2016 21:22, UK
Leonardo Bonucci hailed Antonio Conte as a "master" after Italy beat defending champions Spain 2-0 to reach the quarter-finals Euro 2016.
Conte's men will face reigning world champions Germany in the last eight after goals from Giorgio Chiellini and Graziano Pelle secured a dominant victory against Vicente del Bosque's side.
And Bonucci believes Conte's tactics makes Italy capable of beating sides with greater individual talent.
"Mr Conte is so important as a coach because he can implement a gameplan and he becomes more important with every match," said Bonucci.
"This process which started two years ago has been essential. This national team is shorn of great talent so we must play as a team, have a playing style and Conte is the master at that."
Italy have a fantastic record against Germany having never lost to them in eight previous meetings at major international tournaments.
Bonucci is hoping that record will continue when the two sides meet at the Stade de Bordeaux on Saturday.
"We hope that it will be the same (celebration) post-match after the next game," Bonucci added. "It will be a huge match against the reigning world champions.
"They have great players, we have to be 23 men and 23 dreamers. Today we dreamed how the match would go and it did."
