Roberto Mancini confirms Stefano Sensi’s Euro 2020 is probably over, but Jorginho ‘makes the whole team tick,’ as Italy prepare for tonight’s friendly with the Czech Republic. ‘It’ll be a similar line-up to the one against Turkey.’
The final friendly against the Czechs kicks off at the Stadio Dall’Ara in Bologna tonight at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).
It’s the last test ahead of Euro 2020 and the opener against Turkey on June 11.
“The Czech Republic are a strong side, they beat England at home, drew with Belgium, they have technique, pace and physical strength. They come and press their opponents, so this is certainly a good test.
“The line-up we see tonight will probably be similar to the one that will start against Turkey. It’s a completely different match, and there are seven days to evaluate between them, but it should be similar in terms of personnel. We want everyone to get some playing time, there are six substitutions allowed in a friendly.”
Mancini confirmed Jorginho will play just days after winning the Champions League Final with Chelsea.
“He will start. We spoke to him, he’s fine and should play at least 45 minutes. He is a very important player for us, as he sets the tempo and makes the whole team tick. There are others who can fill in too, like Manuel Locatelli and Bryan Cristante.”
There has already been a change to the squad for that tournament, as Stefano Sensi pulled out with a muscular issue, replaced by Atalanta’s Matteo Pessina.
“Unfortunately he felt this twinge and had the tests this morning, it is very probably he’ll pull out, but he will stay with the group for the moment,” Mancini told RAI Sport.
“If he doesn’t make it, then Pessina is the natural replacement. The players are effectively coming off not a season, but a season and a half, as the fixtures were all compressed, so it’s inevitable there will be more injuries than usual.”
The surprise addition to the Euro 2020 squad was teenage Sassuolo forward Giacomo Raspadori, who has not yet made his senior Italy debut.
“When there’s a young lad added at the last minute to a major tournament, Italians always think about Paolo Rossi. Raspadori is just starting out, so there’s no need to put pressure on him, he’ll have a bright future with the Nazionale.”