Former Milan and Italy defender Alessandro Costacurta was full of praise for Italy head coach Antonio Conte ahead of tonight's Euro 2016 game against Germany.
Italy have impressed so far in the competition as they battled past the likes of Belgium and Spain to reach the Last 8 of the competition.
Conte will take charge at Chelsea at the end of the tournament.
"The most important thing is the coach," he told BBC Sport.
"The coach is, for me, the best coach in the world and I think it's showing in Euro 2016.
"Entering the Euros, the team was not so united, not so organised. After two or three training sessions I think the team improved.
"It's about Conte, because the players are not so good, are not world class players, so the coach he is. For me Conte is the best in the world.
"Italian coaches are always speaking about tactics, it's our quality in Italy. We know the defensive way, but Conte brings something new about the offensive way.
"Against Belgium, against Spain we were good in transition with [speed], with players always going in the box. It's something new for Italian people, for Italian football."
