Roberto Mancini said the Italy get-together with 66 different players over two days in training was ‘positive’ to give him more options, as Chelsea midfielder Cesare Casadei was among those most impressive.
The coach called up two groups, the first from Serie B clubs and the second from Serie A and abroad.
There was a game between ranks for the second group of 37 players, with goals from 19-year-old Empoli player Jacopo Fazzini, Lecce defender Federico Baschirotto, former Inter youth product Casadei and 18-year-old Juventus youth product Tommaso Mancini, while Lecce striker Lorenzo Colombo also rattled the frame of the goal.
All the sessions were attended also by the coaches of the various youth levels of the Nazionale, so this was not just for the opportunity to get into the senior squad.
“This get-together was positive, because we got to know a little better those players who we only see sporadically,” said Mancini.
“It is one thing to see them from the stands as they play and another to observe them more closely. This is the second get-together we have organised and there are players who impressed me with their great quality.”
Italy now go on a break and will not be united again until their EURO 2024 qualifiers against England on March 23 and Malta three days later.
Means nothing is the league continues to be overrun by foreign players.
This needs to be addressed.