According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Italy CT Roberto Mancini may only include one between Mario Balotelli and Joao Pedro in the Azzurri squad for the World Cup play-offs.
La Nazionale will face North Macedonia at the Stadio Renzo Barbera in Palermo in the play-offs semi-finals on March 24. Mancini will reveal his squad list on Friday morning and according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, he has a doubt regarding the strikers.
Either Mario Balotelli or Joao Pedro could receive a call-up, but it’s difficult to imagine both of them included in the squad according to the pink paper. Both strikers were part of the Azzurri squad for the get-together at Coverciano in January when the Azzurri didn’t play any game.
Balotelli’s last appearance with La Nazionale dates back to 2018, while Joao Pedro has an Italian passport and has never played with the Azzurri. He has scored ten goals in 28 Serie A games with Cagliari this season. According to the report, Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret, who is currently injured, will be replaced by Tottenham’s Pierluigi Gollini.
Il dilemma di Mancini: Balotelli-Joao Pedro, uno è di troppo nell'Italia mondiale https://t.co/sdtBC5Nm1I
— La Gazzetta dello Sport (@Gazzetta_it) March 15, 2022
How is this even a dilemma? Clearly Joao
What a headline.
Relying on Belotti and Ciro in playoffs that already happened against Sweden. Sure its a way better 11 now, squad and experience etc, as well as a winning manager. About Balotelli, say what you want about him, he had nothing to do with the toxic dressing room under Ventura as he never played any serious matches.
All cards on the table, no stone unturned for these playoffs. We will go to the world cup but relying on Ciro and Belotti is dangerous.
This is the squad to get us to the world cup not the world cup squad, Spina and Chiesa would be certainties and starters for that if fit, no one says Balotelli should be a certain for a potential world cup squad but why can’t he be an extra weapon to get us there.
Balotelli definitely. Game changer. Mancini coached him before. I would take Balo over Ciro too. Montella has him more disciplined now
I will agree with Balotelli being included. A strong presence in the box. Can defend. And I feel his desire to prove himself will make him a better player. I like Ciro, but he has been a letdown for the national team.
Anyone but Immobile
Balo should be the a guaranteed starter. Zaniolo, Balo, Zaccagni starting up front in a 4-3-3 would be the best option currently. He’s the only Italian striker we have that can shoot from 30 meters out and score. We don’t need anymore Brazilian rejects on our team. Balo and Scamacca would be ahead in the pecking order over Belotti and Immobile to me.
Insigne has been horrible this year and I hope he gets dropped. My choice for the forwards would be immobile, scamacca, Belotti, kean, zaccagni, zaniolo and Berardi.
Scamacca should be the #1 choice above them all.
Caprari–Scamacca–Berardi
Or
Zaccagni–Scamacca–Berardi
Keep Balo and Ciro on the bench
I can’t believe that we need another Brazilian, are the Italian players that bad?
Tifosi- Let’s all be honest , not any of us are calcio managers let alone ever won a significant trophy ( whether it be competitive, Recreational , etc) . We are not in Mancini’s mind or dressing room . Regardless of what we think , he is the coach , he knows the players, staff , clubs etc . He helped win us a Euro . I only hope he gets his players, formations , tactics right for the next games . If we talk about players , whoever is in form should be picked regardless of there heritage ( Brazilians , Argentines , Uruguayans) . In the debate over Balotelli or Joao Pedro , if we could take both great, if not IMO I like Balo as he deserves the call up and if you watch most games he played for Italia , he works and scores . Never mind is being split on racism , prejudices or nationalism . If a person chooses to represent a county and is a citizen, they deserve a chance. Forza
Neither?
Doesn’t get any worse then this gazette dello sport is like reading on toilet paper. Worthless so called journalist do they dream this stuff up and print. With all the talent we have this is the stuff they put out complete traitors to italy and all the people comments going along with this garbage made up nonsense. Why doesn’t anyone advocate for our own players.
@Italian – with respect , Balotelli is an Italian player . Agree that the article is nonsense and just to stir the pot . Which players are you speaking about ? We need a natural centre forward point final . Salute
Balotelli is Italian, as he was burn there. Jhao Pedro is less Italian than Jorghinio . Neither should be in the squad, nor should Belotti for that matter
How does Immobile score goal after goal for Lazio but cannot score for the national team?
It’s amazing really his fork for Lazio is excellent.
Italy, Borussia Dortmund, he is invisible.
Indeed we have the players, but the troubling part is we aren’t just drawing in 1 or 2 replacements, half the team will have just a handful of Caps and experience together.
Belotti should be dropped out of the squad permanently. What has he (belotti) done for Italy over the years? Let Joao and Balotelli both be included.
These are not Brazil-rejects. Is Jorghinio or Emerson a Brazil reject? Let who can produce the desired results be given the chance. Ciro Immobile is a proven striker as well as others being mentioned. Let the coach choose who he feels will give him the desired results. If he feels Baloteli is the right person, so be it. Let’s judge him by his result ultimately