Gigio Donnarumma insists Italy must build from the back and ‘have fun’ and believes the tactical system is not a problem: ‘Mentality is crucial.’
The Azzurri suffered a 2-1 loss against Spain in the Nations League semis on Thursday.
“We played a good first half, but in the second half, we sat too deep,” Donnarumma told RAI Sport.
“It can’t happen against a team that keeps the ball like Spain. When you do that, anything can happen. We were unlucky with their goal, but they could have scored any other time. We are angry. It could have been 2-1 for us at the break, but the second half was ugly.”
The first half ended 1-1, but Davide Frattesi had a goal disallowed and the Azzurri had another couple of chances to take the lead. However, things were very different in the second half.
“We lacked lucidity, it looked like we feared building from the back, which is what the coach wants,” noted Gigio.
“We had our chances because we played football. Don’t forget that we reached our goals by playing well and entertaining the fans.”
Italy conceded the opener early in the first half when Spain stole the ball from Leonardo Bonucci during the build-up, but Donnarumma believes the Azzurri must continue to play from the back.
“Every team that does it has more chances to score, there is a new way of playing, which is entertaining and helps teams win,” he said.
“Spain played a good game, not exceptional, but it’s also down to us, we stopped playing in the second half.”
Mancini picked a 3-5-2 formation, very different from the 4-3-3 used during the Euros and the first few years of his spell with La Nazionale.
“It’s about the mentality and having fun again, which is what we’re lacking,” insisted Donnarumma.
“The system can be 4-3-3 or 3-5-2, but the mentality is crucial. We must have fun and entertain the fans, like that it’s all easier. We need courage to build from the back and it depends on mentality.”
La Roja dominated possession in the second half and Donnarumma was forced to save on Merino keeping the Azzurri in the game.
Italy will face the Netherlands on Sunday at 14:00 GMT+1 in the third-place play-off, while Spain and Croatia will meet in the Final on Sunday at 20:00 GMT+1.
Read more – Nations League Player Ratings: Spain 2-1 Italy – Frattesi shines, Bonucci sinks