Roberto Mancini named his starting XI for Italy’s friendly with the Netherlands and explained his paternal rapport with Mario Balotelli.
The match kicks off in Turin on Monday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).
It follows on from the Azzurri’s 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia and Friday’s 3-1 defeat to a star-studded France.
“The game against France was very important for us and this too will help us learn for the future,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
Roberto Mancini named his starting XI for Italy’s friendly with the Netherlands and explained his paternal rapport with Mario Balotelli.
The match kicks off in Turin on Monday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).
It follows on from the Azzurri’s 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia and Friday’s 3-1 defeat to a star-studded France.
“The game against France was very important for us and this too will help us learn for the future,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
It was an experimental line-up with three debutants in Nice and Danilo D’Ambrosio, who only had a couple of minutes in the Azzurri jersey as a substitute.
“All the goals we’ve conceded have come from our mistakes and that includes the France ones. They were never their counter-attacks, but us giving the ball away.
“We’ll change practically everyone from the France game and are facing a side with a little more experience than us, but who are also rebuilding at the moment.
“We are forming something new, something different, with new players. It takes time, but we have enough quality to score goals even during this period. When we have a little more confidence, the defence will improve.”
Mancio makes more changes tomorrow evening and announced his starting XI.
“It will certainly be a 4-3-3 formation. Jorginho is accustomed to a three-man midfield, while Simone Verdi can also play behind the strikers or be a good central midfielder. He has quality, class and technique.”
Balotelli is not in that starting XI after the two friendly outings, as Torino striker Andrea Belotti gets his chance.
Mancini brought SuperMario back into the Azzurri fold after four years out.
“I was fortunate enough to work with him when he was just a lad. He has incredible quality and scored very important goals then. He’s the same age as my children and they’re not perfect either, because nobody is.
“Mario has quality that he has certainly thrown away to a degree over the years, but he has a long time ahead of him to make up for that.”
How many Balotellis would Mancini like to choose from?
“One is enough!”
Italy: Perin; Zappacosta, Caldara, Romagnoli, Criscito; Cristante, Jorginho, Bonaventura; Verdi, Belotti, Insigne