ROME: Dino Zoff sees similitudes between Roberto Mancini's Euro 2021 finalists and the Italy group he captained to World Cup magnificence in 1982, he told AFP.
The Azzurri will confront England in the last at Wembley on Sunday, offering to win their second European Championship title and first since Zoff helped the group to triumph in 1968.
His most prominent second came 14 years after the fact, however, when he lifted the World Cup matured 40.
"I see a couple of things in a similar manner as that of 1982," the goalkeeping extraordinary told AFP.
"They are an exceptionally quick, vivacious group, and that presents to them somewhat nearer to us at the World Cup in 82."
Italy are on a public record 33-match unbeaten run, however required punishments to defeat a great Spain in the semi-finals.
It will be their Euro third last since 1968 having lost to France in 2000, when Zoff was the mentor, and to Spain in 2012.
Triumph would finish a noteworthy turnaround, after Mancini took over after their inability to meet all requirements for the World Cup in 2018.
"Past the players, I'd say that everything comes from Mancini who realizes how to settle on the right decisions," added Zoff, whose Italy group in 2000 drove France profound into injury time before in the long run being beaten by David Trezeguet's brilliant objective.
"He brought a great deal of conviction and certainty. His group plays excellent football in altogether different circumstances.
"I truly trust that it's anything but a cycle like Spain had at the Euro (winning in 2008 and 2012) and the World Cup (2010).
"The World Cup isn't far away. I'm sure...
"As far as I might be concerned, it's anything but an amazement to see Italy in the last. I was persuaded they'd progress nicely."
Hindering Italy in their tenth significant competition last will be England, playing in such a counterpart without precedent for a very long time.
Gareth Southgate's men yielded without precedent for the last four against Denmark yet retaliated to win 2-1 after additional time.
Zoff trusts Italy can mess England up regardless of their rivals appreciating home benefit.
"The English played a decent match with the help of their home group," he said.
"The Danes progressed nicely, they likewise played their game and it was settled on a punishment. In any case, England did somewhat more and had the right to win.
"Italy, without a doubt, will have a major disservice with the English group. It's anything but an away game. In any case, it's possible. Britain offer more opportunities to play in midfield (than Spain), with more space."
One thing that both Italy and England share practically speaking are generally helpless records in punishment shoot-outs.
Yet, England have won their last two, while Italy, who took England out of Euro 2012 on spot-kicks, edged past Spain, with Gianluigi Donnarumma making the definitive save from Alvaro Morata.
"Clearly he has an incredible shot at turning into an extraordinary goalkeeper," Zoff said of Donnarumma, who is without a club in the wake of leaving AC Milan and has been vigorously connected with Paris Saint-Germain.
"It will rely upon him. In any case, the conceivable outcomes are colossal."