Roberto Mancini praised Italy for “an excellent performance” to beat Bosnia 3-0 and maintain their 100 per cent record in Euro 2020 qualifying.
This is a new all-time Azzurri record of 10 consecutive victories, surpassing the nine achieved in 1938-39.
Roberto Mancini praised Italy for “an excellent performance” to beat Bosnia 3-0 and maintain their 100 per cent record in Euro 2020 qualifying.
This is a new all-time Azzurri record of 10 consecutive victories, surpassing the nine achieved in 1938-39.
“It’s pleasing, because it would be a lie to say it wasn’t pleasing to beat the record set by the legendary Vittorio Pozzo, but we are happy,” the CT told Rai Sport.
“This was an excellent performance. We knew it would not be easy, as Bosnia are solid, strong, with good technique, but we immediately got the game on the right track.”
It’s a huge change from the side that failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup a year ago.
“That’s football, unfortunately. Sometimes results arrive that you don’t even deserve, but you have to accept it. The lads were very open and we tried to introduce some new ideas, so it’s going well.
“Everybody played well tonight, because you don’t win 3-0 away from home only thanks to a few players. Sandro Tonali did very well. He’s not Marco Verratti, but has similar characteristics, whereas Nicolò Zaniolo is accustomed to playing a slightly different role at Roma.”
Andrea Belotti was on target this evening, chosen ahead of Ciro Immobile, but the situation is up for debate.
“I intend to keep the forward role open through to Euro 2020, it’s to their credit that they both score when given the chance.
“If I had to find a problem, it’s that in the final 15 minutes we dropped a bit deep. When we are tired, we need to hold the ball and make the opposition run.”