Antonio Conte masterminded Italy's 2-0 win over Spain in the last 16

Italy advanced to the Euro 2016 quarter-finals with a stunning 2-0 win over holders Spain in Paris. Their manager Antonio Conte is providing a tantalising glimpse of what he can bring to Chelsea, writes Nick Wright.

There was a moment in the second half at the Stade de France which showed exactly what Conte is all about. An Italy interception fell to Emanuele Giaccherini in Spain territory, but his poor control sent the ball rolling towards his manager. It was an innocuous error, but Conte was incensed at the missed counter-attacking opportunity. With a wild swing of his right foot, he hoofed the ball away in a screaming rage.

Conte's intensity makes Jose Mourinho look breezy. The Italy boss prowled his technical area from the first whistle to the last against Spain, bellowing instructions and demanding constant focus and dedication. His players have come to expect nothing less. "He is a very particular manager," said Daniele de Rossi recently. "He takes a lot of care about every single detail."

That attention to detail has been plain to see at Euro 2016. Italy stunned Belgium with an outstanding team performance in their Group E opener in Lyon, and Conte's masterclass in Paris was even better. For the Chelsea supporters waiting to welcome him to Stamford Bridge next season, the excitement is building with every viewing.

Antonio Conte is mobbed by Italy players during their 2-0 win over Spain

Consider first how little was expected of this side. Conte's central midfield was ripped out by injuries to Marco Verratti and Claudio Marchisio in the months leading up to the tournament, and bookmakers rated them as 18-1 outsiders for the trophy. In Italy, some even questioned whether the Azzurri would make it out of their group.

In the absence of star quality, however, Conte's tactical acumen and man-management have taken over. Italy are brilliantly organised. The 3-5-2 system offers flexibility in defence and attack, and the players give everything. "Everyone wants to give 100 per cent for him every time," said Matteo Darmian. "He is someone who gives every one of his players total confidence whatever they are asked to do."

That attitude is typified by Giaccherini. The 31-year-old midfielder couldn't hold down a starting place at Sunderland in 2014/15, but he is playing above himself under Conte. He scored Italy's opener against Belgium, and he covered a staggering 13km against Spain. "Conte is a strong manager in every way," he said last week. "He is a manager the players love to play for."

Emanuele Giaccherini scored Italy's first goal of Euro 2016 against Belgium

Much has been made of Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli's excellence in defence, but Italy's offensive quality has been equally impressive. Conte's men tore into Spain from the first minute at the Stade de France, with wing-backs Mattia De Sciglia and Alessandro Florenzi wreaking havoc on the flanks and Graziano Pelle making his presence felt up front.

Spain would have been dead and buried at half-time had it not been for goalkeeper David de Gea, and at the other end they found it impossible to break Italy down. Vicente del Bosque's men only mustered two shots in the first 45 minutes, and they didn't enjoy their usual dominance of possession either, with Italy having an even share of the ball before the break.

Giorgio Chiellini scored Italy's opening goal against Spain

Conte had identified stopping Sergio Busquets as the key to stopping Spain. The Barcelona midfielder's distribution from deep is vital for La Roja, so Conte instructed Pelle and Eder to close him down at every opportunity. It was a shrewd move. Busquets averaged over 80 passes per game in the group stage. Against Italy, he only managed 51.

With Busquets stifled, Spain were unable to build with their usual fluency, and when their attacks broke down, Italy were set up to counter-attack in numbers. Conte had kept his players fresh by making eight changes in their final group game against the Republic of Ireland, and in stoppage time they still had the energy to pour forward for Pelle's breakaway second.

This national team is shorn of great talent so we must play as a team, with a playing style. Conte is the master at that. Leonardo Bonucci

It was the culmination of a meticulously-devised game plan. "Mr Conte is so important as a coach because he can implement a game plan and he becomes more important with every match," said Bonucci after the game. "This national team is shorn of great talent so we must play as a team, with a playing style. Conte is the master at that."

The master added his own thoughts. "Right from the outset I have said that the only route forward to achieve a semblance of success is to try and be a like a club team," he said. "There is no point in hiding it, this is not the rosiest period for Italy in terms of talent. We have been working very intensively for a month now, tactically and physically, in a bid to surprise people and we have already succeeded that."

The hard work will continue against world champions Germany in the quarter-finals, but Chelsea fans have already seen enough. After a chaotic 2015/16 season, they can approach the new Premier League campaign with optimism and excitement about what their new manager will bring.