Italy Coach Roberto Mancini is “curious to see” Sandro Tonali, Stefano Sensi and other new faces in action in tonight’s friendly with the USA.
It kicks off in Genk at 19.45 GMT and is the last international match of 2018 for the Azzurri.
“The US team is very young with quality players like Christian Pulisic and they almost all play in Europe,” Mancini told news agency Ansa.
Italy Coach Roberto Mancini is “curious to see” Sandro Tonali, Stefano Sensi and other new faces in action in tonight’s friendly with the USA.
It kicks off in Genk at 19.45 GMT and is the last international match of 2018 for the Azzurri.
“The US team is very young with quality players like Christian Pulisic and they almost all play in Europe,” Mancini told news agency Ansa.
“This is a side that plays football and it won’t be a walk in the park for us. This is why I hope to see an Italy that keeps trying to hold the ball at all times, that is positive, focused on the attack. I want an Italy that always plays.
“We’ll get to see some who haven’t played much and want to show what they can do. There’s a moment in which I’ll have to make choices and whoever wants to stay part of this group needs to get on with it. I am still waiting for a response from some.”
The Nazionale kept two clean sheets in a row during their 1-0 win away to Poland and 0-0 draw with Portugal, but only scored once despite dominating both Nations League games.
“If you don’t score, you don’t win, but between Ukraine, Poland and Portugal, we created about 20 scoring opportunities,” continued Mancini.
“I think it was an issue of bad luck too, as sooner or later that will turn in our favour, but our forwards know how to score goals and they will score goals.”
As this is a friendly and the Nations League is over for Italy, they sent home Lorenzo Insigne, Ciro Immobile, Alessandro Florenzi, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Jorginho and Giorgio Chiellini.
Instead, Brescia midfielder Tonali and Sassuolo’s Under-21 international Sensi should be given a chance to shine.
“Some were a little tired. We’ll have the same basic structure as against Portugal, with new additions in place of those who were released.
“Sensi started out as a playmaker in front of the defence, then at Sassuolo moved to a more internal midfield role, but he can do both.
“I too am curious to see Tonali in action. Salvatore Sirigu will be in goal, because he deserves it.
“We had to find the idea of this team to create a competitive side quickly. If we go forward like this, over the next few months we’ll be able to play on level terms with any side in Europe.”