Mancini: ‘Positives for Italy in Nations League’

Roberto Mancini saw more positives than negatives from the Nations League campaign, as Italy took third place beating the Netherlands 3-2. ‘We have some interesting tactical solutions.’

Having confessed to errors in the 2-1 defeat to Spain, Mancini made seven changes to the starting XI and shelved the 3-5-2 experiment for a return to the 4-3-3 formation.

Federico Dimarco and Davide Frattesi had put the Azzurri 2-0 up after 20 minutes, but the Dutch kept getting back into it with Steven Bergwijn and Gini Wijnaldum, around a Federico Chiesa solo strike.

“The first half was very good and an enormous effort, as everyone was so tired and it showed in the second half. Being able to hold out under that pressure is a good sign,” Mancini told RAI Sport.

Giacomo Raspadori, Mateo Retegui and Willy Gnonto were the starting trident, but substitutes Chiesa and Nicolò Zaniolo provided a different way of attacking, which in turn is again a development from Ciro Immobile in the first match against Spain.

“We have some interesting tactical solutions, we changed in the second half with Chiesa and Zaniolo wide, whereas we were more rapid and light upfront in the first half. The defence fought to the end.

“It was important to win, this is a prestigious tournament.”

There was particular praise for Torino centre-back Alessandro Buongiorno, who is accustomed to a three-man defence at club level, but showed himself more than adequate in a back four.

“It was not easy, especially as he is not used to this style of football, but Buongiorno was excellent and really applied himself well.”