Former Italy international Christian Vieri has praised Roberto Mancini’s Azzurri but expects more from both Ciro Immobile and Andrea Belotti at international level.
With the European Championship postponed until 2021, a young Italy side will have another year to prepare for their first Finals under CT Mancini and Vieri has claimed the coach is getting the best out of his current squad.
Former Italy international Christian Vieri has praised Roberto Mancini’s Azzurri but expects more from both Ciro Immobile and Andrea Belotti at international level.
With the European Championship postponed until 2021, a young Italy side will have another year to prepare for their first Finals under CT Mancini and Vieri has claimed the coach is getting the best out of his current squad.
“It’s been a long time since I have seen Italy play this well, I also told Mancini,” Vieri told the Corriere della Sera. “He brings out the qualities in his players, sees the young and is not afraid to throw them on without neglecting some of the older players who deserve it.”
Lazio forward Immobile has scored 27 goals in 26 Serie A games this term, but Vieri feels the 30-year-old still has some work to do for the national side.
“Ciro Immobile has matured and is scoring a lot of goals, but now he must take a step forward with the Azzurri shirt, and I don’t say that to criticise him.
“Gallo Belotti is a tough one, but from one with his qualities, I expect 20 goals a season.”
But Vieri pointed out the Norwegian starlet Erling Braut Haaland as the ‘best of all’ and claimed the former RB Salzburg star made the right choice by moving to Borussia Dortmund this winter.
“Haaland is the best of all and has done well to choose Borussia Dortmund, the best club to give value to young players.
“In a couple of years, he will go to a great team for €200m, or maybe even €300m.”