Italy CT Roberto Mancini admits Spain deserved to beat Italy: ‘We prepared a different type of game.’
The Azzurri suffered a 2-1 loss in the Nations League semis against La Roja.
“Spain scored right at the end, but overall they played better than we did. We prepared a different type of game, but didn’t manage much of what we planned,” Mancini told RAI Sport after the final whistle.
Mancini was asked why he replaced Ciro Immobile with Federico Chiesa, remaining with no centre forwards on the pitch as the Juventus star partnered with Nicolò Zaniolo upfront.
“We thought Chiesa could give a bit more depth and fewer reference points for the defence. The lads put in all they had, but there are things we ought to regret, probably that we didn’t play in our usual style.”
Italy will play in the third-place play-off against The Netherlands on Sunday at 14:00 GMT+1, while Spain will face Croatia in the Nations League Final on the same day.
“Now we have the Netherlands. We have to take the right approach and try to do our best,” concluded the CT.
Why bother, every team gets revenge missions by the heavens against Italian teams that not even hale Mary can answer. It’s the same humiliating story over and over again, followed by someone has to die. Switching football off had enough of this constant favouring luck to our adversaries think the gods made up their minds.
Mancini should’ve stepped down right after failing to qualify for the World Cup. It isn’t going to get any better under him that’s for sure. He lost the plot and the players have no confidence playing under him. Bring in Spaletti or De Zerbi!!
I think Maldini should step down .
He sees Spain as having played a better game Italy not prepared for their style of soccer.Soccer is played on the field and it is a game of opportunities.Let’s call it straight
He has non been able to motivate and use the right players.
Time for a change in the coaching staff .
My opinion
Frank
I forgot to say tha Italy could have won but again the mix of players and being able to motivate them .