Italy CT Roberto Mancini said Milan midfielder Sandro Tonali is ‘having a great championship’ and revealed why he picked Inter full-back Federico Dimarco to replace Matteo Pessina.
The Azzurri are preparing for the UEFA Nations League semi-final against Spain on Wednesday and Mancini underlined the importance of giving youngsters a chance to ‘make mistakes’ during the press conference at San Siro.
“Abroad, the young lads play earlier, they give them more chances to make mistakes and then after a couple of years they are ready,” Mancini said at a press conference.
“There’s a bit of difference compared to Italy, that’s true.”
Italy are struggling up front ahead of the Nations League and Mancini was asked if he could opt to play without a striker or a false nine in the match against Spain.
“We have some problems, we are without the two centre-forwards from the European Championship, who are at home due to issues,” Mancini added.
“We have [Moise] Kean and [Giacomo] Raspadori, and then many attackers. We’ll see what the best solution will be.”
Italy are on an unbeaten run of 37 games and Mancini hopes to continue the positive streak.
“We always want to win, then we know it will depend on us,” he said. “Sooner or later, it will happen.
“But we would like to go on like this until December 2022, but we know it won’t be that simple.”
Inter full-back Federico Dimarco was picked to replace Matteo Pessina in the Italy squad, as Mancini left Milan midfielder Sandro Tonali with the U21 squad.
“I gave Dimarco his debut in Serie A, I know him very well,” Mancini said. “I called him up because a few years have passed, and I was pleased to see him.
“The players we left at the Under-21 was correct, they have two important games.”
Spain have decided to leave out Napoli star Fabian Ruiz and Milan forward Brahim Diaz ahead of the upcoming games. Mancini was asked if he was surprised by Luis Enrique’s decision.
“They have so many, it’s difficult for him to bring them all,” Mancini said. “He is forced to leave good players out.”
After winning the European Championship, Italy now prepare to fight for the UEFA Nations League trophy in their homeland.
“It’s an important competition. It’s clear that it comes after the European Championship and it seems to be two games like this,” he said. “It’s not easy to prepare in such short time, but they are two games between the four best in Europe and we want to improve ourselves.”
Mancini didn’t reveal who will play in the middle of the attack, but said he has many options, including Juventus forward Federico Chiesa.
“I don’t know if Federico can play as a centre-forward, probably over time he will also be able to do it,” Mancini said. “We have precise roles, we know where he can play better.
“We have Kean and Raspadori and then there’s the possibility of [Lorenzo] Insigne, as well as [Federico] Bernardeschi, who has already done it.”
Bernardeschi: ‘Spain are strong, but we are ready and play at home’
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti suffered in the match against Spain at the Euros, when Italy prevailed on penalties.
“We suffered in that game, it was a semi-final and Spain put us in difficulty in possession,” the coach said. “They have been doing it for 20 years and they are ahead of us on this.
“We need to improve on this aspect, be quicker, but Marco had problems like the others. We must improve, we also have young players who have to play big games.
“We have 14 important months and we must play better and better, attacking and being balanced.”
Mancini was asked who has surprised him the most in Serie A so far this season.
“The young guys are doing well,” Mancini said. “Tonali is having a great championship, there are others who are playing and are in the Under-21 squad.
“They will play and have space, which can certainly be good, the hope is that they will continue to play.”
Demarco can do well with Spinazzola out injured, he has a great delivery on him
Does anyone know if Italy will be in Blue or White for this match?
The truth is that mancini is bias and hates Milan players.how can you call toloi instead of Calabria,and then demarco instead of tonali.but he should remember that we produce the player that won him the Europe cup.that is dollarumma
Milan doesn’t field Italians. Barely.
Euro2020 squad had no Milan players. More players from Inter repped Gli Azzurri, which is saying something.
All the more shocking is that guy in charge over at Milan is a former long time Captain of Italy.
Toloi was chosen over Calabria because he wants to keep continuity from the Euro 2020 team.
To Joe,
Blue.
There is another article on this site that mentions that Italy will he wearing a commemorative kit for these 2 matches only. They showed a blue kit.