Roberto Mancini only gave three players their first call-up to the Azzurri for the upcoming Nations League clashes, a wasted opportunity considering the lack of a World Cup this year, writes Apollo Heyes.
Italy will not be heading to Qatar in November, instead being forced to watch the world’s most popular sporting tournament from home. The defeat to North Macedonia is still a sore spot and many felt that the Italian coach should’ve resigned following the embarrassing defeat, but he decided to stay on, keen to herald in a new era after the heights of Euro 2020.
Mancini’s decision to only integrate three new players into the Italy squad – Ivan Provedel, Guglielmo Vicario and Pasquale Mazzocchi – seems like a baffling decision considering the Azzurri’s position heading into this international break.
Whilst their counterparts in England, France and Germany are looking to warm up for a deep run in the World Cup in Qatar, Italy only have two fairly meaningless Nations League clashes to consider. This makes this international break the perfect time to give some fresh faces a chance to shine, like Juventus’ Fabio Miretti or Udinese’s Destiny Udogie, but instead the old guard hold firm.
Players like Emerson Palmieri and Jorginho were still received the call, even if alternate options like Fabiano Parisi and Miretti seem ready to make the jump. This decision is even more confusing when thinking back to the explosive debut of Wilfried Gnonto, who shot to prominence with the Azzurri when given the chance.
Whilst this Italy squad does look decent on paper, it also reeks of a wasted opportunity.
Problem is this Nation league is a comp, so Mancini goes with what he knows as he doesn’t want to finish bottom! Better back in the day when it were friendly games that way the result didn’t matter and players got the chance
The alternatives in this article are called to U-21 team. There might be some agreement between CT and U-21 coach.
Thats why Italy will continue to fail. all those thick minded coaches who are scared of young players, and techniqal players, and keep using the same old failures hoping for something different to happen. He should’ve been sacked after the world cup qualifiers fiasco.
I can’t wait to see Imobile try again
mancini is in love with immobile perhaps both of them should get a room! the most idiots are still running the show. azzurri becoming a disaster after world cup failure! no improvements whatsoever!!!