Italy CT Roberto Mancini explains that Joao Pedro’s versatility helped him earn a spot in the national team in place of Mario Balotelli.
The former Inter and Milan striker was one of the options for Mancini for the World Cup play-offs, which will be played next week.
Balotelli played his last game with the Azzurri in 2018 but was called for a get-together at Coverciano at the end of January, boosting the striker’s hopes to be part of the team for the play-offs.
“I brought those who could be more useful,” Mancini said at his first press conference from Coverciano.
“We only have a few training sessions. There isn’t much time to try new things. The basis is made by players who were part of the team at Euro 2020, except Bernardeschi, who is not fully fit. I couldn’t call 40 players. We have called strikers with different characteristics for these games.”
Mancini was asked why he called Cagliari striker Joao Pedro instead.
“There are no big reasons. Even in terms of numbers, there wasn’t much more I could do,” he insisted.
“It’s always sad to leave a player at home, whether he is Balotelli, Calabria or Bernardeschi, but that’s my choice. Joao Pedro can play in different roles in the attack.”
La Nazionale failed to qualify for Qatar 2022, finishing second in their qualification group behind Switzerland who they had beaten in the group stage of Euro 2020 in June.
Italy will host North Macedonia in the semi-finals at the Stadio Barbera in Palermo on Thursday, March 24. The potential Final will be played away against Turkey or Portugal on March 29.
Not a fan of Balotelli at all, so this omission suits me fine.
Balotelli is one of the best strikers to ever play for Italy. This is shameful. The team now is better than 2012. Balotelli could have thrived with this new team. Mancini is making all the wrong moves.
Versatility suits a tournament when you play potentially 7 Matches.
Not 2 matches.
It’s not the Joao Pedro callup that has me wondering. It’s the Florenzi callup.
Florenz I has been a great servant for clubs and country trouble is he is not the dynamic player of 5 plus years ago and the times he gets caught out defending the back post is alarming and gets punished more frequently. Cairo is the best Italian striker in serie a but for some unknown reason despite his effort doesn’t transfer to the national team. Ballotelli was a bright star with potential not fully realised which is a shame his last two performances for Italy were lack lustre and disappointing as if he hadn’t the heart he once had to play for the Azzuri for which there are multiple reasons.
Italy have many problems old centre backs, lacking creativity in midfield, and lastly lack of pace upfront and strikers that really scare the opposition. As well as a lack of form from many of italys main players for their clubs coupled with long term injury’s to key players like spinazzolo chiesa with their dynamic pace and enthusiasm will be truly missed! Seems like Mancini is trying to play it safe which could cost us let’s hope and prey we get the results to take us to the finals.