Italy assistant manager Alberico Evani has ‘lost count’ of the players missing for tomorrow’s Nations League clash with Poland, while Roberto Mancini is again out.
It kicks off on Sunday at 19.45 GMT at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio-Emilia.
Although there is no official confirmation, it looks as if Mancini has still not tested negative for COVID-19, so Evani will again be on the bench.
He already oversaw the 4-0 friendly victory over Estonia on Wednesday evening.
Italy assistant manager Alberico Evani has ‘lost count’ of the players missing for tomorrow’s Nations League clash with Poland, while Roberto Mancini is again out.
It kicks off on Sunday at 19.45 GMT at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio-Emilia.
Although there is no official confirmation, it looks as if Mancini has still not tested negative for COVID-19, so Evani will again be on the bench.
He already oversaw the 4-0 friendly victory over Estonia on Wednesday evening.
“You can imagine how Roberto is feeling, as he likes to be near the lads, but they know he is present, albeit not physically,” Evani told RAI Sport.
Evani and Mancini have quite a few situations to discuss, as players continue to pull out, the most recent being Roberto Gagliardini and Leonardo Bonucci.
“There aren’t many of us left, but I am not particularly worried. You need to focus less on those who aren’t here and more on those who are.
“I’ve lost count of all those who have pulled out of the squad for tomorrow, frankly, but I am convinced this group gives its best in difficult situations.”
Andrea Belotti is not 100 per cent fit, and Ciro Immobile not released by the local health authority due to an inconclusive COVID-19 test.
“If he has problems, we won’t risk him, or anyone else. He trained well yesterday and is on recovering well, but if he isn’t available, then we’ll use someone with his characteristics or perhaps a different type of forward, the way we did two years ago in Poland with Federico Bernardeschi as the centre-forward.”
In the absence of Bonucci, will Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni or Milan’s Alessio Romagnoli step in?
“There is this doubt that we still need to resolve. Despite his age, Bastoni has a great deal of experience in Serie A and the Champions League too now, so it’s not a problem.”
The Nations League group remains tight, with Poland on seven points, Italy six, the Netherlands five and Bosnia-Herzegovina two.
Considering the situation, do Italy risk regretting the 0-0 draw in Gdansk last month even more?
“Unfortunately, you can’t always manage to win games, even when you are superior on the night. Tomorrow we must try to repeat that kind of performance, but score more goals than them.”