Roberto Mancini is looking forward to facing Spain again after the UEFA EURO 2020 triumph and it would be ‘amazing’ to win the Nations League too, but ‘it won’t be that easy.’
The Azzurri are unbeaten in a world record 36 matches and go into the Nations League semi-final against Spain on Wednesday.
The winners go on to face either France or Belgium in the Final on Sunday at San Siro.
These sides already met in the EURO 2020 semi-final at Wembley Stadium, Italy winning in a penalty shoot-out.
“Spain were the team we struggled against most during EURO 2020. They are a good team with good players,” Mancini confessed to the UEFA website.
“It will be a good match. [Passing the ball on the ground is] something they are the best at. We didn’t have the time to master it at their level. It will be different this time.”
Due to COVID restrictions, the stadiums in Italy are still only at 50 per cent capacity, so it won’t be a full house at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.
“It would be amazing to win [the Nations League straight] after the European Championship and it would be amazing to qualify for the World Cup early, but it won’t be that easy.”
Italy won their second European Championship, after 1968, and the first major trophy since the 2006 World Cup, returning to a heroes’ welcome.
“It was great, because we made many people happy, both young and old. So it was something for everybody. Something that made a lot of people happy, maybe also because of these times we have been living through. The fans have been enthusiastic, and we play to entertain people. It was a wonderful time,” continued Mancini.
“The best things about the EURO? Probably the relationship we created within the team. It was a group that worked together for 50 days and that’s not easy. They were hard, tiring [days], but there weren’t any issues. It was the chemistry and the love [between them all; that] isn’t something easy to obtain.”
Mancio was credited with bringing a more attack-minded approach to the Nazionale, especially after the failure of Giampiero Ventura’s reign and missing out on 2018 World Cup qualification.
“Every game is full of difficulties. When we play against weaker teams, it’s hard to play because they simply focus on defending.
“There isn’t just one way to win. It’s not just playing well. Of course, if we can win by playing well and being entertaining, that’s even better. There are plenty of ways to win.
“[The perception of the Italy team] has changed, but we can’t forget that Italy is a country that has won four World Cups. [We] are the European champions and have a significant history.”
Verso le #UNLFinals: parla il ct #Mancini, tra la #Spagna e i ricordi di #Euro2020https://t.co/bAwX3V56Dv
— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) October 4, 2021
Italy, if in proper Rhythm, should with Determination beat Spain, to keep building a History of Psychological Pressure on Spain in Tournament Finals. That build-up would be crucial because Both are more likely than not, to meet each other in the later Stages of World-Cup next Year.
A tough match, and if we win another, tougher match awaits. I hope Italy goes all the way again and we get to experience the same feelings as a few months ago.
Italy is unbeaten in 37 games, not 36.
Tough game. It’ll be interesting to see what Mancini learned from the semi-final and what changes he might make. Locatelli has to start, imo, as does Pellegrini. Perhaps Mancini will go with Insigne as a false 9 – as he did in the 2nd half against England – that way Pellegrini can start on the left and roam from there?
Donnarumma; Calabria, Bonucci, Chiellini, Emerson; Jorginho, Barella, Locatelli, Pellegrini, Insigne, Chiesa.
I hate when Italy plays Spain, Spain will hog the ball and go backwards at least 25 times, they play like they are trying to kill the clock. Who cares about the Nations league? I am sure Italy will not have a parade if they win. Just a money grab.
Whatever you think about this tournament, here is a perspective to consider:
This might be the best collection of teams to play for a real trophy in European history.
As of today: Belgium is the top-ranked team in the world. France are the reigning World Cup champions. Both teams are stacked deep with talent, with winners from many continental competitions. Spain are 2021 Euro semi-finalists and were the dominant team in the world for long stretches from 2008-2020. Arguably, they were the best team after Italy in the 2021 Euros, and could have beaten them. And Italy are the reigning European champions, and…haven’t lost in 37 games, another world record!
Other than Euro finalists England, who not only don’t have the pedigree but also benefited from an easy draw and home field, who else could claim a rightful place in this tournament at the moment? These are absolutely the four best teams in Europe right now.
So, yes, I will be watching Italy and hoping their amazing streak continues. I want them to add another trophy to the collection; and winning the Nation’s League will only add to their confidence a year from now at the World Cup.
its a shame this happening right at start of and the busiest time of year with so many fronts Serie A, CL, Europa-league, WC qualifying. but this is and would be a great accomplishment to win for azzurri !
hope theyre 100% focused and hungry like they were at euros.
keep the streak going, more silverware and go into WC on a high.
this is like another euro final 4 perhaps the way it shoulda played out.
ITALY WILL BEAT SPAIN BUT THE STREAK WILL BE BROKEN BY WORLD CHAMPIONS IN THE FINAL