Roberto Mancini insists Italy must prepare for the game against Switzerland ‘without pressure’ but won’t talk about the World Cup until Tuesday next week.
Italy are the Group C leaders on even points with Switzerland, but with a better goal difference.
La Nazionale hosts Switzerland at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Friday, before visiting Northern Ireland on Monday 15.
Only the group winners book their place for the 2022 World Cup, so the game against Switzerland is crucial for the Azzurri.
“Games against Switzerland are usually tough and the same will be on Friday,” Mancini said at a press conference attended by Football Italia.
“If we play like in the reverse fixture, we’ll get a good result. We need to prepare for the game with tranquillity and without pressure.
“We must have fun and play as we know. We know we can play well and, by doing so, we can win. It’s an important game, we know our worth and we will play a great game.
“We need to have tranquillity,” insisted Mancini, and “from Tuesday, we can talk about the World Cup.”
Lorenzo Pellegrini and Nicolò Zaniolo have pulled out of the Italy squad and Marco Verratti is also out of action.
Mancini revealed that two new midfielders would join the team to replace the Roma duo and discussed Sandro Tonali and Tommaso Pobega. The Torino starlet has earned his first call up with the senior Azzurri squad.
“Pobega deserves to be here, he is a guy who has done well and we think he has outstanding qualities,” explained Mancini.
“I don’t think there is a player similar to him. He can play as centre midfielder or attacking midfielder, he is a smart guy, we know he can be an important player for the national team because of his characteristics.
“Tonali has already played with us,” Mancini continued.
“He can play in many positions, he is a modern midfielder, he can do everything.”
Davide Frattesi is shining with Sassuolo and is one of the players monitored by Mancini.
“He is a guy we are following, he is doing well with the U21, but there are many other players, it’s hard to name all of them now,” said Mancini.
“There are many strong young players in Italy. They only need to play at a high level. You can expect anything from youngsters, but they can improve only by playing at a certain level.”
Forza Azzurri 🇮🇹👍👊💙🍀
@Roy…
Im anxious about this game.
Insigne, Immobile, and Chiesa
Cataldi, Jorginho, Locatelli
Palmieri, Bonucci, Chiellini, Di Lorenzo
Donnarumma
Or. Bernadeschi at right wing and Chiesa in midfield.
Thoughts?
Or we could start with Tonali, Jorginho and Locatelli with
Insigne, Immobile, and Chiesa up front.
Locatelli wasn’t called up due to injury. Immobile and Barella are not certain due to injury worries. Bonucci and Chiellini haven’t fully recovered from injuries, either. Hope at least a couple of them recover before Friday.
Locatelli is there, injury-free.
Immobile, Barella, Bonucci, Bastoni’s aren’t serious enough.
Bonucci was supposed to have a day off with Juve anyways (as per Allegri).
He seemed optimistic about Chiellini.
Last game for Napoli even Insigne was given the option not to play as he had a small injury but it felt good enough to play through and he did. Another week on, with treatment it should be fine.
Jorginho seems to be the Iron Man of this group.
@Vittorio I’m too anxious .. but at the same time confident with Mancini at the helm 🤞