Italy impressed against Germany with many young players who were promoted from the Under-21 side, something Azzurrini coach Paolo Nicolato is only too happy about. ‘Roberto Mancini has courage.’
The Nazionale needed to reboot after failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup and losing the Finalissima 3-0 to Argentina.
Their performance was far better in the 1-1 Nations League draw with Germany, which saw Davide Frattesi make his debut from the start, followed by five other players getting their maiden caps.
Mancini has raided the Under-21 squad for starlets like Willy Gnonto, who provided the assist for Lorenzo Pellegrini within five minutes of coming off the bench.
“We are fortunate to have a coach in Mancini who has courage,” said Under-21 tactician Nicolato.
“We had four or five players in yesterday’s senior Italy squad who were in the current and former Under-21 two-year group, players like Sandro Tonali, Tommaso Pobega, Giacomo Raspadori, Gianluca Scamacca, Davide Frattesi, Alessandro Bastoni and Manuel Locatelli.
“This is the moment to credit the work of those behind the scenes, starting with our director Maurizio Viscidi and all the staff of the teams from Under-15 and up.”
Inevitably, that also means the Under-21 side is raided of its best talents to feed the senior squad, which can be a concern as they continue the qualifying campaign for the European Under-21 Championship.
“Our two-year run started with Tonali, Ricci, Rovella and Salvatore Esposito, but we’ve only got Rovella left. With Miretti, Bove and Ranocchia, he is the one with the most experience of Serie A, but he hasn’t played for us since March.
“It is an emergency situation and somewhat worrying, but we’ll have to do our best. Not everyone might be ready, but we’ve got quality.”
When it comes to 18-year-old Gnonto, he has climbed up the ranks with alarming speed.
“Gnonto was meant to be with us at Under-21 level in March, but he was needed by the Under-19 side, who needed him for an important match. Giorgio Scalvini is the same, we had him in November, but after that he was more valuable to the Under-19s.
“We work as a system with one big Club Italia and that is a strategy I share.”
.@Azzurri #Under21, le parole del ct Paolo #Nicolato in conferenza stampa: domani si ritorna in campo per le qualificazioni ai prossimi Europei https://t.co/1BVfB27Zic
— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) June 5, 2022
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