Mancini: ‘Italy need to score more goals’

Roberto Mancini was pleased with the Italy debutants, but once again was left with the feeling they should’ve scored more in a 0-0 Nations League draw with England. ‘We need to improve a great deal.’

It was another solid if uninspiring performance from the Azzurri, who remain top of the Nations League group and unbeaten with five points from three games.

They held England to a 0-0 draw at Molineux despite starting Federico Gatti in defence, a man who has never even played in Serie A, let alone at international level, making a few more debutants along the way.

“We had chances, perhaps more than England, but overall the lads did well. It was a good performance, it wasn’t easy in the circumstances,” Mancini told RAI Sport.

“We need to improve a great deal, especially when we attack, as we need to score when we get into those positions. We missed opportunities that we should’ve converted, especially in the first half.

“At times, we make the wrong passes playing out from defence, these are things we shouldn’t do, but it’s probably just part of the growth process.”

Gatti, who has already been purchased by Juventus, had a strong performance in the back four on his debut.

“He was a little tense, fortunately he relaxed in the game. Esposito did well coming off the bench, Gnonto made it livelier when he came on again too.”

Italy now have five points, followed by Hungary on four, Germany three and England two.

📸 Gli #Azzurri conquistano un punto e conservano la vetta del Gruppo 3

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇮🇹 #InghilterraItalia 0⃣-0⃣#NationsLeague #IngIta#Nazionale #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/hLw453essG

— Nazionale Italiana ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri) June 11, 2022