Roberto Mancini admits the 3-4-3 experiment ‘didn’t go very well’ in the 2-0 friendly defeat to Austria and explains why the forwards didn’t help their teammates.

Marco Verratti was caught in possession, perhaps with a foul, for the opening goal by Xaver Schlager after just six minutes, then a ferocious long-range David Alaba free kick surprised Gianluigi Donnarumma off the underside of the crossbar in Vienna,

“The second half was good. In the first, we wasted a chance straight away, then we made a lot of technical errors under their press to go on the counter-attack. We suffered more there,” Mancini told RAI Sport.

“I thought we did better after the break and were only missing a goal. Some of these players hadn’t been on the field for a while and it will take some time.

“It’s a pity that we end the year on a defeat.”

It is safe to say that while there were some good signs in the 3-1 victory away to Albania on Wednesday, this time the 3-4-3 experiment was something of a complete failure.

“The experiment didn’t go very well. We had practically no pressing with the forwards in the first half, which created huge gaps and created big problems.

“I saw a good side in the second half and was just unlucky not to score, but had the chances.”

Italy had not lost to Austria since 1958 and close out 2022 with a disappointing defeat, only the seventh of Mancini’s reign.

15 thought on “Mancini admits ‘Italy experiment didn’t work’”
  1. That was NOT a Foul on Verratti on the first Austrian goal. Italian players only think it was because in whistle-happy Serie A those are always called. But not in the rest of the world.

    Horrible 1st Half. Gigio gifted the 2nd goal but saved many Austrian chances. Raspadori came close for us.

    I am now legit worried for Euro 2024 Qualifiers.

    Can we please put Bonucci and Acerbi out to pasture? Aren’t Friendlies used to experiment with new players? Scalvini and Bastoni the rest of the way.

    Good Riddance 2022.

  2. Make no mistake about it, this was a deserved Loss.

    Players clearly didn’t want to be there.

    When March comes around, these guys need to snap out of it. Need Frattesi, Scamacca back.

  3. I’m still in favour of a 4-4-2 line up consisting of Donnarumma/Vicario; Lazzari, Bonucci/Mancini, Bastoni, Spinazzola/Dimarco; Chiesa, Pellegrini/Barella, Veratti/Tonali, Zaccagni; Raspdori/Kean, Zaniolo.

  4. Can’t understand bonucci acerbic picks and why not go with 3 5 2 system which works well. The players r there they need to hammer down players so they cam build from them not sure why the constant experimenting

  5. Played nothing. I should have written Italian football, not Serie A. Even still, the rest of them were complaining too so my point IS VALID.

    That was never a Foul.

    Ancelotti at PSG used to often warn Verratti all the tine about possessing the football unnecessary. Today it finally happened. He got stripped of it and the turnover was well and truly on.

  6. Also, if you think that was a Foul on Verratti it only proves my point even further. Only in Italian football that is whistled.

    Glad it wasn’t. Our players need to smarten up. They’ve become a laughingstock and disgraced themselves and the shirt.

  7. Nobody wanted to be on the pitch. I was depressed watching the opening ceremony pretty sure the players felt worse.

  8. Don’t hit the panic button people! How soon they forget. Not only did Mancini’s Italy set the world record for consecutive wins by a nation at 37 but we also won euro 2020 calm down everybody everything’s fine he’ll get it right have some faith man !!! Viva Italia Forza Azzurri

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