Roberto Mancini says Italy can win the UEFA Nations League but warns: ‘We don’t want to do like the English who got the EURO 2020 trophy tattooed.’
During the September break, the Azzurri collected one win and two draws in their first three games as European champions.
They return to action in October in the Final Four of the UEFA Nations League.
Mancini wants to lift another trophy with the Azzurri but warns his players.
“A little bit of superstition is always needed. “e can’t do like the English who had already tattooed the [EURO 2020] trophy,” Mancini told TG Poste as quoted by Calciomercato.com.
“[The Nations League] is an important tournament, we play in Italy, so we hope to win it.
“In November, there will be the last two qualifying matches for Qatar 2022. After these last matches, we can say something”.
Italy are the Group C leader and enjoy a six-point lead over Switzerland, who, however, have two games in hands.
Italy were held to a 0-0 draw by Switzerland in Basel in November and will host Murat Yakın’s side at the Stadio Olimpico on November 12.
The two sides had already met at the same venue during UEFA Euro 2020, with the Azzurri who snatched a 3-0 win with a brace from Manuel Locatelli and Ciro Immobile’s second and last goal in the competition.
Italia, #Mancini: 'Nations League? Non facciamo come gli inglesi che si erano già tatuati le coppe e poi…'https://t.co/CRUVHdzdYH pic.twitter.com/r3dx1YOgNG
— calciomercato.com (@cmdotcom) September 24, 2021
it’s that deluded, dumb song that really annoys – ‘it’s coming home, it’s coming . . . . . . ”
Ok, if you are Germany, Spain, Argentina, France and, of course, Italy you can sing these dumb songs – because you win things, you play finals. But Ingurland? 2 finals (both at home) in 150 years of international football. Give over.
“Switzerland, who, however, have two games in hands.”
why “however”? Look at the goal difference…….
We Italians are not presumptuous and never will be. We play a game at a time and we have always respected the opposition without fearing them. Unfortunately, the English think they have won before even getting to the final. They did for the Euros but I mean every tournament as soon as they win a couple of games for example against Panama, they were going to win the trophy. They had a fairly easier path at the WC 2018 and at the Euros and yet they haven’t. They keep stating that we did not qualify for the WC 2018. How about they didn’t in 1974, 1978 and 1994! Message to England, just eat humble pie and give respect to everybody. The fact that the World supported Italy instead of England must mean they are not liked as they are arrogant. They were also very sore losers by taking the runners up medal off and Prince William was disrespectful by leaving the stadium before the presentation took place. Even the papers were awful before the game by stating “It’s in the bag”. Did they really think, we were going to lay on the floor after their first goal and allow them to win without a game. Sorry England, we are used to playing in front of hostile crowds. What was said to us, was in fact racist. I just hope that should we play them again at home, that we do not lower ourselves to them. At the final, there was no difference what the Hungarians did to the English players. We will try to win the UEFA Nations cup and try to get to the World Cup 2022. Proud to be Italian so Forza Azzurri con Grande Cuore Italiano.