Roberto Mancini feels Italy deserved a draw from their 2-1 EURO 2024 qualifying defeat to England, paid for their errors on two corners, but ‘the second half bodes well for the future.’
They went into the break 2-0 down at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Naples to a Declan Rice tap-in and Harry Kane penalty, as Mateo Retegui’s angled drive after the break was not enough to get them on level terms.
“We knew it was a difficult game, but we conceded two goals from two corners. The first half was tougher, obviously, we dominated the second half and tried to get at least a draw, which I think wiould’ve been fair.
“It’s disappointing, but there’s a long road ahead,” Mancini told RAI Sport.
“We had started well with a high press, which we didn’t do for the rest of the first half. I saw a great Nazionale in the second half and that bodes well for the future.
“England are dangerous on set plays, we allowed the first I think due to a distraction, then the penalty was also from a corner. I think we desvered to score at least another goal after the break.
“We might be starting with an uphill struggle this time, but hope to end it smoother.”
There was one bright spark, as Mateo Retegui scored on his Italy debut from a Lorenzo Pellegrini assist.
“He had difficulties in the first half, as the England defenders are physically strong and limited him. He moved better after the break, but he is young, he plays his football in Argentina, so he needs time.”
The Azzurri had not lost a European Championship qualifier on home turf since 1999 against Denmark, which was also in Naples, losing 3-2.
The last time they started a European qualifying campaign with a defeat was 3-1 to the Netherlands in 1974.
The first corner is forgivable. The blocked shot could’ve gone anywhere. But how the referee has ruled that as an intentional handball I’ll never know. Still. Gigio could’ve been more relevant on those corners. Bar that, we reduced them to parking the bus and time wasting.