Mattia Zaccagni’s crucial goal in the 98th minute of the final Group B match earned the Azzurri a vital point, ensuring a second-place finish and progression to the knockout stages.
Italy will now face Switzerland in the last 16. Switzerland had an impressive group campaign, comfortably defeating Hungary and securing tight draws against Scotland and Germany.
Their solid performances have boosted their confidence ahead of the clash with Italy.
As Italy prepare for their match against the Swiss, El Shaarawy underlined the team’s determination and hunger to succeed, reflecting on their ability to persevere in challenging moments.
“No team is happy to play against Italy, we have a great football history, and it’s never easy to play against us,” El Shaarawy told the media, according to TMW.
“We showed it also against Croatia, this is a team that doesn’t give up and tries to score goals.
“Even with Spain we tried to play openly, and they were better, but the ambition has to be that, we have the ability to do it.
“We will try to propose an offensive and proactive football also with Switzerland, we want to get to the end because winning is our goal.”
Asked about Italy’s style of play, El Shaarawy added: “What the coach asks us to do is to look for a lot of dribbling, passing with the midfielders and then going to the wide areas.
“Against Croatia there was a bit of a lack of that and maybe with one less pass we could’ve looked for the wide spaces straight away. We try to do what he asks of us, at times it was lacking but that’s the idea.
“I’m always ready to do everything, the coach has tried me out wide on the left and on the right. I adapt to his needs but I know that even playing little, I can be decisive like what happened to Zaccagni. We have to be ready and with a clear conscience, I’m doing my best.”