Italy coach Roberto Mancini reflected on his difficult 2022, the exciting title race this season and the state of the top teams heading into the second half of the campaign.

The Azzurri failed to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar after suffering an incredibly painful loss to North Macedonia in their play-off clash back in March. Mancini decided to stay on as Italy coach and is now overseeing the team’s overhaul ahead of their next major competition, likely to be Euro 2024.

Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Mancini first reflected on his difficult year.

“A sad 2022 is gone, very sad for me: the death of Sinisa, Gianluca’s illness. These are the things that weigh on the heart, those for which you cannot do anything.

“After a sports disappointment, however, you can always make up for it.”

He gave his thoughts on the Serie A title race this season.

“This is too difficult a prediction, and after 50 days of rest even more so. But Napoli has a good chance, eight points ahead and a proven group that has also added two-three strong players.

“The pursuers are all close to each other and all in time to catch Napoli. They have to run hard and fast, though.”

The Italy coach commented on the state of Stefano Pioli’s Milan.

“De Ketelaere is very strong. But he is young, so he needs time, and he is a Belgian, he needs to settle in. Think of the first De Bruyne at Chelsea, he looked like he couldn’t play ball.

“False nine? He looks more like an attacking mezzala to me. Giroud plays well and makes the team play well, if he were to have a problem, it would not be easy. Although the best Origi can replace him.”

He touched on the importance of Romelu Lukaku’s return to Inter.

“He has been missed a lot, Inter can have a great advantage or miss him if he doesn’t come back like he was two years ago. First of all, physically.

“Dzeko-Lukaku? Lukaku varies, Dzeko moves a lot, but the other’s possible partnership with Lautaro seem more functional to me.”

The Italian coach also gave his thoughts on Juventus’ current position.

“I’ve seen them play sometimes well and sometimes less. But it has had a lot of injuries that, good for us, have given space to young players who have a future in the national team. Di Maria and Chiesa if they are well, it’s hard not to play them.

“But Allegri now knows what Fagioli, Miretti, even Kean can give him, fresh forces, and they have shown him.

“Team problems? The Juve management has always protected the team well.”

Mancini spoke about Giacomo Raspadori and his opportunities at Napoli.

“He has improved even so, it was seen against England and Hungary, playing not always but at high levels, to win, his mentality has changed.

“Mezzala? I’ve always thought about it, because he is an attacking player, but he runs a lot and knows where and how to run.”

He touched on his wishes for 2023.

“May it bring nothing but take nothing away from anyone anymore, speaking of sadness. If anything, let it give back Chiesa and Zaniolo, for it to be their year, after Euro 2020 I practically didn’t have them, with them and the full squad we can really start to do well again.

“And maybe one thing 2023 will bring us, the Nations League in June. it’s up to us, the chances are there. And it wouldn’t be bad…”

Finally, Mancini discussed which players impressed him during his expanded training camp last month.

“Cittadini, who now needs to play in Serie A, Faticanti, Fazzini and Oristanio of Volendam, in June he was behind, in six months playing as a starter in the Netherlands he has improved so much.

“But they all made a good impression on me, even those from Serie B.”

6 thought on “Mancini: ‘2023 will be the year of Chiesa and Zaniolo’”
  1. This is my preferred. The 4-3-3 with Chiesa and Zaniolo on either flank of Scamacca.

    We saw versus Austria the 5-3-2 was a disaster. Luckily only a Friendly.

    If Zaniolo can resist temptation to act out and improve his discipline, better for us.

    FORZA AZZURRI

  2. Scalvini’s age scares me but I predict him to be a future Captain.

    Would love to see Gianluca Mancini brought into the squad more, even if his lack of foot speed concerns me.

  3. Finally, continue on with Frattesi.

    Anything less than winning the UNL and qualifying to Euro 2024 without going to a Playoff will be a failure.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Tickets Kit Collector