Roberto Mancini believes Italy will be ‘more experienced’ now Euro 2020 has been pushed back a year and expects ‘some surprises’ on Serie A’s return.
Italy’s preparations for the European Championship before the coronavirus outbreak were affected by injuries to Nicolo Zaniolo and Giorgio Chiellini.
However, Chiellini is fit again and Zaniolo is on the mend, while the Azzurri’s young players will get an extra year of first-team football behind them.
Roberto Mancini believes Italy will be ‘more experienced’ now Euro 2020 has been pushed back a year and expects ‘some surprises’ on Serie A’s return.
Italy’s preparations for the European Championship before the coronavirus outbreak were affected by injuries to Nicolo Zaniolo and Giorgio Chiellini.
However, Chiellini is fit again and Zaniolo is on the mend, while the Azzurri’s young players will get an extra year of first-team football behind them.
“The lads will be more experienced for the European Championship, even if they have to play lots of games in a short space of time,” Mancini told Gazzetta dello Sport.
“We’ll have to pay close attention to their physical condition. We hope to have lots of options and only a few injuries, but in any case we‘ll have more players to choose from.
“I’ve heard from the lads. They all want to get back to playing.”
The CT was then asked about Serie A, which will get back under way on June 20.
“Many of the players won’t be in peak condition. There will be difficulties at the start.
“As for the Scudetto, Juve have the best squad but Lazio were playing some great stuff.
“Now there won’t be any fans and there should be fun, it’ll be a great fight. There will be some surprises along the way.”
The likes of Federico Chiesa, Sandro Tonali and Gianluigi Donnarumma are currently in hot demand, so how does Mancini feel about it?
“I’m glad. It means our players can have a great future and that we’re on the right track.”