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Giaccherini hails Italy defence as Euro 2016's best

The Sunderland midfielder scored a superb goal in the first half, latching on to Leonardo Bonucci's brilliant through ball, and he has now hailed his defensive team-mates

Italy's unexpected hero Emanuele Giaccherini believes his team have the best defence at Euro 2016 after surviving a late Belgium onslaught in Lyon on Monday.

The Sunderland midfielder, who spent last season on loan at Bologna, was held up by many before the tournament as an example of Italy's inferiority compared to some of their illustrious predecessors.

But he defied his critics by scoring an expertly taken opening goal in a 2-0 win over Group E rivals Belgium at Stade de Lyon, benefitting from a pinpoint Leonardo Bonucci pass.