Roberto Mancini explains Manuel Locatelli’s new Italy role as alternative to Jorginho in the victory over Belgium and warns the World Cup qualifier with Switzerland is ‘the game of the year after the Euros.’

The Azzurri got back on track after the 37-match world record unbeaten streak came to an end against Spain, seeing off Belgium 2-1 in Turin for third place in the Nations League.

“They were two very good games. We changed a few players, but despite that, the team still put in a good performance,” said the coach in his press conference.

The midfield was almost totally transformed today, with Nicolò Barella the only remaining figure, joined by Manuel Locatelli and Lorenzo Pellegrini.

“When Jorginho is out, we need alternatives as a playmaker. Stefano Sensi is unavailable and Bryan Cristante has already played in that role, but Locatelli has the qualities to do it and did very well today. He can play as an internal midfielder or a playmaker, so this is an extra option at our disposal.”

There were also adjustments upfront, with Sassuolo pair Domenico Berardi and Giacomo Raspadori partnered by Federico Chiesa.

It was a change from the False 9 experiment with Federico Bernardeschi against Spain, forced by injuries to Ciro Immobile and Andrea Belotti.

“Immobile and Belotti have experience, they know everyone and have been missed, so we needed to try some new options there too. Raspadori has a great future ahead of him.”

Italy’s next challenge in November will be a head-to-head with Switzerland for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

Thanks to last night’s win over Northern Ireland, the Swiss are just three points behind the Azzurri and have a game in hand.

“It’s going to be a difficult match, just as it was in the Euros and again when we met in Basel,” added Mancini.

“We’re playing on home turf and it will be the game of the year after the Euros. We know that we have to win.”

11 thought on “Mancini: ‘Locatelli can fill in for Jorginho’”
  1. Tonali is the perfect successor to Jorginho for the long term in that position. Locatelli is better playing further up the pitch, since he can be a goal scoring threat.

  2. You are Milan fan and you can say freely Tonaly is better than Locateli but as i believe Locateli is more better than nit only Tonali but other Italian midfielders like Barella, Bellegrini,Critante , Sensi and many more

  3. ohhhhhh no Ahmad – a fully fit Sensi would challenge all spanish players for a starting position. trouble is the fragility that he cannot hide.
    I like Locatelli, Tonali and all the italian mids, but to my eyes Sensi just shows a composure that makes him rarer than the others. again, a spanish-like confidence on the ball [when he can make it to the field that is]

  4. Glad Mancio knows that all focus must be for Switzerland now. All the players must be aware of how important this match is. AT WORST, must avoid defeat.

    Would love for Lithuania to pull an upset on Tuesday and help us out but I’m not holding my breath.

    Cowardly display by Northern Ireland versus Switzerland on Saturday, October 9.

  5. Starting from the Euros until today

    In the last 8 games when Locatelli has been on the field, Italy has scored 15 goals and conceded 2.

    In the last 7 games when Marco Verrati is on the field Italy has scored 6 goals and conceded 6.

    It’s been obvious since day 1 that Italy is more cohesive when Locatelli is playing and Italy is far more stagnant when Marco plays.

  6. @Stefano. I didn’t know those stats. I have been bleating on for quite some time about Locatelli and why he should start ahead of Verratti. He played well today and is a very capable regista, but like Milan Fan said, you’ll get a lot more out of Locatelli when he’s playing a little higher up the pitch, in a box-to-box role. Sadly I don’t believe that Mancini will shift from his preferred Jorginho and Verratti pivot.

    Going forward, I would also like to see Pellegrini/Sensi taking Insigne’s place in the front 3.

  7. Verratti is better when they need to control possession + keep a hold of the ball more, not that Locatelli is bad in that department either, but Loca has been more dynamic for Italy recently. Like the article + Mancio sais, both could play, Verratti on the left + Locatelli for Jorginho, like he’s done before. He is a very incisive passer + creates chances even from deep + when he’s not bursting forward as much from LM. Even when Italy are defending, he looks good, I loved the way he put himself about against Spain + with so much enthusiasm too. Never gave up + he’s good at covering ground. Tonali could be the ideal long term replacement as a hard grafting, tough tackling playmaker, if he continues to develop well, but let’s be honest, midfield is not a problem for Italy. They must have 9 or 10 potential starter’s with real quality in midfield now. I can honestly say, that I think it’s the strongest midfield, in terms of depth, that they’ve ever had in my lifetime.

  8. @dangerboy it was not cowardly by Northern Ireland, the referee ruined that game by giving 2nd yellow in first half and Northern Ireland really doesn’t have much quality with 10 men.

  9. Jorginho may win ballon d’or but he has weakness when Italy has to defend more and he doesn’t get back quickly enough like today on Belgium’s goal. Locatelli instead of him makes sense, Italy was very good today from 45-66 minutes. Then the subs happened and Italy lost control

  10. KRuizer,

    I watched the match.

    NI were time wasting when it was still 0-0. The Ref warned them minimum 1 time to hurry up with their Throw In’s. Could have been even twice or three times.

    23 Seconds passed from the time the ball went out of play until the time the Ref intervened to Book the player.

    I watched it on the Sky UK stream and they showed a wide view Replay. The NI player had 2 chances to throw the ball in to Restart the match.

    At first I too thought it was unbelievably harsh but 23 Seconds and after seeing that view, I changed my mind.

    Part that bothers me is I just know NI will play fantastic against us now.

  11. I’m worried about the defence, why doesn’t Italy have better options in defence, Italy of all countries ??? Defences win games.

    Both out starting CB’s are way up their in age.solve the upfront problem , Manchini has to get a partner for Chiesa if you have someone to partner with him when goes on a tangent taking on defenders, they be unstoppable.

    Even making of a duo of with Locatelli’s and Chiesa now both playing for Juve.

    If Ronaldo didn’t have Benzema the whole time he was at Madrid he would been as able to score of those goals, Benzema and Ronaldo both went to Madrid 2009, it took the partnership into 2014 before they started winning championships medals.

    Hope Machini looks at stats of all games Italy’s played last year to now, to see who really carries the team, what the best pairing, all to help supplement his own instincts.

    He also better examine every second the Spanish’s games we played also today’s game with France to strategize to be beat them if we meet in Qatar.
    It’s about wining game not just about his system and style of play.

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