Matteo Politano’s agent is bemused as to why the Napoli winger is ignored by Italy, yet Federico Bernardeschi of Juventus gets caps.
The Azzurri are struggling to get goals at the moment and finished runners-up in their World Cup group to Switzerland.
It means they must go through the play-offs in March before knowing if they have a ticket for the tournament in Qatar in November and December.
With the lack of goals in a 4-3-3 formation, agent Mario Giuffredi asked a pointed question of coach Roberto Mancini.
“In my view, Politano and Domenico Berardi are the best attacking wide men in Serie A, but it’s Mancini who makes the choices and we have to respect his decisions,” said the representative.
Politano has made 16 competitive appearances in the Napoli jersey so far this season, contributing two goals and four assists.
As for Bernardeschi, the 27-year-old has not scored in the 2021-22 or the 2020-21 campaigns for Juventus, contributing five assists in a total 51 games between Serie A, the Coppa Italia, Champions League and Supercoppa Italiana.
L’agente di Politano: “Perché in Nazionale va Bernardeschi e non lui?” https://t.co/vJ6Lddg0cb
— TuttoJuve.com (@TUTTOJUVE_COM) November 16, 2021
No way ! Chiesa and Zaniolo are for Italians atleast.
It’s a valid point. Politano has performed well with the opportunities he’s been given – 3 goals in 4 games for Italy.
Bernardeschi is more versatile. When Politano is able to play mezzala and fullback, then his agent will get a permission to ask such questions.
Bernardeschi knows Mancini’s deepest darkest secret
Why not. We need a goal scorer not a headless chicken like Bernadeschi running all over the field.
Sometimes these agents can talk rubbish, but this time this one is making sense. In my opinion, Politano has a better chance of creating something in the opponent box than Berna (My opinion).
I have asked the same question for a while. Bernardeshi hasn’t shown anything. I think Politano deserves a chance. Not sure why he hasn’t been given a chance. I know another article asks why Balotelli isn’t called up. I know he has wasted a career of talent. But italy needs a true striker. I hope they find the answer before the playoffs. The last game was hard to watch. I know there are injuries. I wish Kean was available. And what happened that Cutrone has been shut out. I think he gives it all when he plays. Anyway, Forza Italia always!
No hating on Bernardeschi, it takes skill and precision having not scored for his club in over 2 years. I have to give him credit, he has no end product but he does put in a shift.
Our we joking? Cutrone? Balotelli? Politano make more sense, yes, he is one of the few Italian strikers, outside of Chiesa actually, who aggressively attacks spaces and makes runs into the box and attempts one on one’s. But maybe Mancini doesn’t like that type of player who is too spontaneous and unpredictable.
He is a double footed shooter and can cut in and shoot from outside box which is what we need. I like berna but he should leave juve which is not benefitting him.
Mancini dropped Politano from the Euro squad and replaced him with Raspadori. Politano is very suitted to mancini’s 433 is a shame he is never make it even as a sub
Currently Bernadeschi is a waste in this italy national team I reader give Politano ,Orsolini a chance or even sebastiano esposito a call up
He has the wrong player. It is not Bernardeschi that should be questioned, it is Insigne. Try Politano in his place and perhaps we will get someone who will attack the goal instead of playing with the ball.
It does not matter which player you change or like for like when you face teams like NI or lesser known nations in footballing terms. We could not find the net and we are in this position because of a complacent mindset. We won the Euros but got too comfortable. History shows that what goes up can only come down. But we are always doing this to ourselves and I am fed up of always having to go to playoffs. As Italians we always do drama, and in this case of being in the dumpster and setting it on fire as well as doing it at the last minute. If this were a heavy weight opponent then fine we can talk about personnel but this was NI and we should have been able to defeat them in a must win match with even the reserves.
Then is Mancini’s cull ups that should be quentioned because if you have insigne on the field and you have Politano on de bench as a super sub.
it would create better competition. Politano attacks the goal. Bernadeschi needs to improve. he should not be in the team because he is surpassed bij chiesa an even berardi.
Caprari is better than Raspadori right now but he was not called up. Why?
Berna won’t be dropped now.
There has to be a result on the day and one or both of these matches could very well go to PK’s.
Given that Berna conveted both of his PK’s in Euro 2020, he will be there.
If in the 105th Minute, the match looks like it’s going to PK’s, he’ll be getting a tap on the shoulder to head in.
It’s unfortunate but Mancini have fallen into a common trap for NT coaches. These players won him the Euro so he’s afraid to change, this is Lippi all over again. So many in form players like Politano, Caprari, and Aramu are ignored while the likes of Insigne and Bernardeschi can do no wrong in Mancini’s eyes. Even the ones that got called up never got the chance to prove themselves. Di Marco could’ve helped Italy with his world class set piece delivery, which surely would be better than the nonsensical short corners that Italy kept doing. Frattesi too could’ve helped the unpredictability with his piercing runs.
Alas it’s a sad indictment that we now can only hope for a qualification on penalties and that Berna must be kept for his penalty skills.
Strange that Bernardeschi was brought to the Euros over Politano given the gulf in their stats last season. I think Bernardeschi was brought because he plays several positions.
But when you’ve got a squad of 26 to chose from, you don’t really need that type of player, though it makes sense when the limit is 23.
I’m a Juve fan and I just don’t see what Bernadeschi brings to the table? Stats back this up too. I would have had Politano over him easily, but Mancini has his favourites, end of story.
In addition, I don’t understand why Mancini often takes 4 keepers? Surely one of those spots could be freed up for another attacker like Politano?
Every successful team has a utility player. Freddy is very versatile and will play with heart in any position on the field. Politano’s agent is only doing damage to his client by whinging to the media and singling out one of Mancini’s players that helped win the Euros. Stupidity knows no bonds