AN OWNER of an Italian restaurant in Failsworth that has served some of the world’s most famous footballers and team managers, including Roberto Mancini, has predicted the Euro 2020 score.

Aldo Lucci who owns Sul Lago in Failsworth, Oldham is predicting that Italy will win three nil.

The chef owner said: “We’re not going to take it to penalties because it’s too sore for England to go to penalties.”

Fans of the restaurant, which Aldo has owned for 21 years, also include Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo and Attilio Lombardo, the current assistant manager for the Italy national team.

Aldo was born in Italy and moved to England in 1988. He will be supporting the Italian team in the final, alongside most of the restaurant’s staff, but cheered for England when the Three Lions faced Denmark in the semi-final.

The chef and restaurateur said: “I have lived in England longer than Italy. I lost my voice because I wanted England to win but ultimately, I have to support Italy because I was born there.”

Sul Lugo, which is situated over the rolling fields of Daisy Nook Country Park and overlooks Crime Lake, will be opening and closing early on Sunday to ensure none of the staff miss the final.

Aldo said: "It's a unique event, well unique for the English because they are not used to finals, the Italians are."

The Italian community in the region is quite “diluted”, with most Italian expats in Bury or Ancoats, according to Aldo, who will be watching the match along with his family on a big screen at his niece’s 21st birthday party.

He added: “The England team have got a good chance; they have played quite well but I don’t think they are as good as Italy.

“I know some of the players for England because I have seen them playing for Manchester City and I’ve met quite a few.”

The most popular dish at the restaurant is the linguine ciro, a pasta dish with seafood that is cooked in foil in the pizza oven. The restaurant also serves a variety of meat dishes and modern and traditional Italian food.