"Mbappe is the best player at the Euros"

Italy full-back Alessandro Florenzi didn't hesitate in choosing PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe as "the best player at the Euros", and considered France to be the favourites for the tournament.

"France have Mbappe, the strongest player at the Euros, I watch him all year (at PSG). They're the favourites, the World Cup they won (in 2018) says it all. But winning isn't easy, especially in a tournament of such fine margins, it can be decided by a corner, one good move", Florenzi stated in a press conference organized at the sporting centre of Coverciano, in the centre of Florence.

"Then there are other combined strengths which can cause them problems, and we are one of them. There are many well-prepared teams, we hope to have a good Euros", he added.

Italy, who return to a major international tournament after not qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, find themselves in Group A alongside Wales, Switzerland and Turkey, against whom they will play in the Euros opener on 11 June at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

"It will be emotional returning to the Olimpico, a pitch on which I grew up (at Roma), we hope to play well, to win. We arrive with a year's worth of experience, I've had a good year. Many of us have had good seasons, we arrive on a high, we know each other better. Now we want to seriously compete, we have to give everything. We're ready", he declared.

"Turkey has some strong players, I'm thinking about Burak Yilmaz, who unfortunately had a great season", he said, 'unfortunate' as the Turkish striker led his Lille side to Ligue 1 glory over Florenzi's PSG. He also referred to the possibility of Gianluigi Donnarumma playing for the French side next season. 

"Nobody has to offer 'Gigio' advice. His life is his own. His work and his decision are his own. He will choose the right thing for his future. About PSG, I can say that it taught me a lot. I entered a dressing with strong people and strong characters. I'm now a better player for it", he assured.