La Repubblica newspaper maintains Italy CT Roberto Mancini doesn’t call Mattia Zaccagni for disciplinary reasons: ‘Everybody knows, but nobody says it.’
The Lazio winger is having an impressive season at the Stadio Olimpico with nine goals and seven assists in 34 appearances across all competitions.
Therefore, eyebrows were raised when the 27-year-old was not included in the team for games against England and Malta.
“Nobody says it, but everybody knows Zaccagni hasn’t been called due to disciplinary reasons,” wrote La Repubblica correspondent Matteo Pinci.
Problems between Mancini and Zaccagni reportedly emerged a year ago when the winger and his Lazio teammate Manuel Lazzari complained about a physical problem while on international duty before the Finalissima against Argentina in June.
Italy doctors ensured they could have returned in time for the match after undergoing medical examination, but the duo insisted they were not fit, so they left Coverciano.
Mancini explained Zaccagni’s omission during a press-conference on Monday, attended by Football Italia.
“Zaccagni joined us when he was at Verona, there are no specific motivations [on how he wasn’t called up]. The national team is open to everyone, he will surely be involved in the future if he continues like this,” said the coach.
Zaccagni made his senior Italy debut a year ago, but his appearance in a 3-2 win over Turkey in March 2022 remains his only appearance for the Azzurri.
Similar to when Calabria was on top of his game, and he didn’t even take him to the euro’s.
Zaccagni and Zaniolo are what we need on this team