SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS has been inside a Wembley dressing room with Italy boss Roberto Mancini — and has warned England.
The rabble-rousing Azzurri boss will have his stars feeling like they can conquer the world ahead of kick-off tomorrow.
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SWP was part of Mancini’s Manchester City squad who played at Wembley twice en route to winning the FA Cup in 2011.
And he still remembers the inspiring pre-match team-talks which convinced his players they could beat neighbours Manchester United in the semis — and then Stoke in the final.
So Wright-Phillips, who won 36 caps for the Three Lions, is praying his old boss does not conjure up another famous triumph this evening.
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Recalling those Wembley tub-thumpers, SWP said: “You could feel the aura and emotion coming off him.
“And if you have that from your manager then the players feed off that. Some of them will be nervous, like we were, as this is one of the biggest games in every one of their careers.
“Mancini was ramped up and excited, but he got the boys right up for it. He believed in us, like he clearly believes in this Italy team.
“He’ll be trying to stay calm although he’ll be on edge too. How could he not be? It’s the final of the Euros.
“So there’ll be emotion but after everything he’s done in the game, he’ll try to stay calm.
“He will have nothing but total belief in his players after what they’ve done in this tournament. And I’m sure he’ll be getting that message across.”
While SWP, 39, is tipping Gareth Southgate’s men to win, he knows Mancini has the tactical nous to come out on top — and will have left no stone unturned in his preparations.
He believes the new style and swagger the 56-year-old has brought to the Italian national team is strongly influenced by his three-and-a-half years managing in England.
He said: “I grew up watching Italian football on Channel 4 and it wasn’t necessarily something you really enjoyed watching.
“It was quite boring — a tactical battle, a bit like a chess game. But now watching Italy have a completely different feel to them.
“This isn’t how Italy normally play football.
“They press high, they love to attack and they create chances.
“The change is all down to him. He’s coached in England and in Italy and to me it seems like he’s been able to combine those two styles together to make this team. He’s made them exciting to watch.
“He’s very thorough. He looked into the opposition, did his research, and had firm ideas about how he wanted his team to play.
“And it was a way that would win games, or that specific game. Because he’s a winner.
“When it came to tactics he was very much on the ball. But when I watch them play now they almost go for it.
“What I mean is they will know what they have to do tactically to control England — but when they get the ball they play to their strengths.”
Wright-Phillips has a good idea how he believes Italy will set up, but is also sure there will be a Plan B ready if things are not going their way.
He said: “I think he’ll go the same way he’s gone in every game. He’ll go with the full-backs that bomb on.
“Lorenzo Insigne will cut in a lot and Ciro Immobile will try to stretch them in behind.
“Then you’ve got Nicolo Barella who is the creative man, he gets into the pockets.
“Marco Verratti and Jorginho will try to dictate the game. If we can stop them doing that, I personally think they will struggle. So they’ll be key to me.
“But at the same time they can go long over the top to Immobile. That’s it with Mancini — he can mix it up a bit.”
SWP feels the two teams are well-matched but believes it will be the home side who will come out on top, despite Mancini’s best efforts.
He added: “I’ve watched all their games. It’s not surprised me as I knew what he’s capable of as a manager — we’ve seen what he did with City.
“I don’t think England will be used to their press but I don’t feel they’ve come up against an attack like ours either. We have so much quality in attack and midfield, it would worry any team.
“It’s set up to be a very good final. Neither side are known for keeping the ball for long periods.
“So which team will want the ball more. To me they both seem very good without the ball, on the counter-attack. It’s going to be tough but I’m backing my country over my old manager.
“If Roberto wins it, I’d say well done to him — but I’d still be raging. It would hurt me to have to do it.”
