Why would prince Metternich of Austria oppose the idea of Italian unification?

Prince Metternich of Austria opposed the idea of Italian unification primarily because he feared it would disrupt the balance of power in Europe and threaten Austria's influence in the region. As a conservative statesman, he aimed to maintain the status quo and prevent the rise of nationalist movements that could inspire similar uprisings in other parts of the Austrian Empire. Additionally, a unified Italy could challenge Austrian territorial claims in Northern Italy, further motivating his resistance to unification efforts.