Italy CT Roberto Mancini defends Massimiliano Allegri and insists Inter can cause trouble for Manchester City in the Champions League Final: ‘What if they take the lead?’
Mancini, a former City and Inter coach, spoke about the imminent Champions League Final between his ex-clubs in Istanbul.
“Anything can happen in 90 minutes. Due to what they’ve done in the last ten years, City are favourite on paper, but Inter are not beaten. It’s an open Final,” he told Il Corriere dello Sport on Thursday (page 13).
“City are complete, they have quality and solutions and have big talent. I don’t know if they are the best [team in the world], but surely they play the best football,” continued the coach.
“Inter also have good players, they are a solid team and it’s not easy to score against them. Let me ask you a question: what if Inter take the lead?”
Simone Inzaghi was under pressure barely a couple of months ago, with Inter struggling to reach the top four in Serie A.
“You know that coaches depend on results,” argued Mancio.
“Everything has changed for Inzaghi in one month and it’s fantastic, I am happy for him. I see him rise as a coach and as a player and he’s done so well.”
Massimiliano Allegri has also been heavily criticised this season, but Juventus director Francesco Calvo has confirmed the Tuscan tactician will remain in charge in 2023-24 and Mancini appears to back the Bianconeri’s decision.
“There is pressure, being a coach is not easy. How many points have Juve made? I think they finished third on the pitch. Allegri must be respected after a complicated season.”
Italy will face Spain in the Nations League semifinals on June 15, but Mancini is also focused on the U20 World Cup where the Azzurrini have qualified for the semifinals.
“They surprised me, they are doing well,” he admitted.
“I am watching their games. Scalvini and Gnonto could have been called up too. They reached the semifinals and I think they could win with the whole team available.
“Cesare Casadei is really good. He had already impressed me during a stage at Coverciano.
“He went to England and played in the Championship a tough and formative league, almost like the Premier League. If it wasn’t for the U20 World Cup, he would be playing in the U21 already.”
Casadei joined Chelsea from Inter for €20m last summer and spent the last second of the campaign at Reading. Mancini ended the interview by naming three promising Italian strikers.
“We called Pietro Pellegri twice when he was at Monaco, but he got injured. He has had some tough years. Lorenzo Colombo isn’t bad and also Leonardo Pio and the younger Esposito brother.”