Carlo Ancelotti feels Italy are not among the favourites to win Euro 2016 but has backed Antonio Conte s team to be competitive, despite the absence of injured midfielders Marco Verratti and Claudio Marchisio.
Italy reached the final of Euro 2012, but were beaten 4-0 as an imperious Spain retained their continental crown.
Conte s team will be hard pressed to get that far again in France, particularly after losing Paris Saint-Germain s Verratti and Marchisio of Juventus to groin and knee injuries respectively.
And while Ancelotti, speaking at the launch of his biography Quiet Leadership: Winning hearts, minds and matches , anointed world champions Germany, holders Spain and hosts France as favourites, the incoming Bayern Munich coach has faith in the Azzurri s …