In the second part of his interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Italy coach Roberto Mancini named a few players who could receive a call up for the World Cup play-offs in March, including Nicolò Zaniolo and Leonardo Spinazzola.
Spinazzola sustained an Achilles tendon injury during the Euro 2020 quarter-finals against Belgium.
He was one of the best players in the competition and was named in the team of the tournament as the best left-back.
“He is a crucial player for us,” Mancini told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“He can attack and defend really well. However, he is a bit behind in his recovery plan and we are confident that he will return to action in February.”
The CT admitted that Italy wasted many chances during the World Cup qualification group but believes the Azzurri will qualify for Qatar 2022.
“I don’t think about Portugal,” admitted Mancini.
“I think about North Macedonia. Anything can happen in single-leg games.”
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Italy have been struggling with scoring goals lately and there are a few additions he could make during the play-offs in March. Among them, Sassuolo‘s Gianluca Scamacca or Roma starlet Nicolò Zaniolo.
“He can give a lot, to his club and the national team,” said Mancini.
“It’s all up to him now. It all depends on his physical condition and his consistency.
“To me, his perfect role is attacking Mezzala, which is what he is doing. He can attack and defend. Surely, he is not a winger. He can be devastating with central attacking.
“Scamacca has everything to become a complete striker,” Mancini continued.
“He scored in every way, he is a complete striker. We spoke a lot during the last training retreat and I told him where he could get with his qualities.
“It’s the same as Zaniolo, it’s up to him now. He is young and he must play consistently. He can improve so much.”
Why Mancini should look to Scamacca to solve Italy’s problems in attack
Is Joao Pedro really an option for the Azzurri?
“We didn’t ask Joao Pedro to become Italian. He got married to an Italian girl, so he has dual citizenship,” said Mancini.
“He has great qualities, but he must deserve a call-up by playing well. Don’t forget that the number of Italian players available has tightened over the last few years. It’s 35% now, so there are fewer options for the national team.
“I haven’t spoken to Joao Pedro and I don’t know if somebody from the federation has called him. We’ll see who is available in March.”
Mancini’s friend and assistant Gianluca Vialli revealed last week that he is still fighting against cancer.
“He is an inspiration to us. He gives his strength to all of us,” said Mancini.
“He gave us a lot during the Euros and he will give us so much to get to the World Cup. We’ll fight for him.”
Il c.t. dell'Italia #Mancini sicuro: "Con Zaniolo e Scamacca possiamo vincere il Mondiale" https://t.co/wPe0CUteIf
— La Gazzetta dello Sport (@Gazzetta_it) December 26, 2021
We don’t need another Amauri. Joao Pedro is just average player, same like Amauri used to be
Complaining about the number of Italian players to choose from is a bit regressive.
If Italian players were successful abroad then there would be more to choose from.
We keep going on about giving youth a chance but it’s evident to me that hunger and drive comes from within.
Agree that picking an average Oriundi as a short term solution is just plain wrong. Frankly ridiculous.
The reality to qualification is fresh and fit players. If we have players free from injury and on form then we should qualify.
The likes of Chiesa, Pellegrini, Chiellini, Spina need to be fit. Then we need to pick form players. I don’t want to see Insigne when Berardi is playing out of his skin.
Zaniolo has done very little, frankly Candreva has more right to be in the squad than him.
Likewise if Darmian is a key player for Inter then he needs to be brought out of the wilderness.
We are a central defender and striker short of being a complete team. Chiellini remains critically important to team, Acerbi is no alternative.
Florenzi, Emerson, Acerbi, Cristante, Pessina, Insigne, Sirigu, Bernadeschi, and Belotti from the Euro squad.
These should be replaced by Calabria, Darmian, Mancini, Tonali, Pobega, Orsolini, Cragno, Zaniolo and Scamacca.
I think Pessina could still be usefull but th rest can be replaced even insigne . Regardless beating Portugal on their turf going to be very hard for this group of players
Agree with a lot of the comments. Not all.
I’m not sold on Zaniolo. When March comes we need players who are fit, in form and can provide a professional performance. Zaniolo ticks none of those boxes. These Playoffs are not for Zaniolo.
Candreva shouldn’t be uttered for the Azzurri again but I agree that he is having a good year. Great even despite Samp’s record. On that note, if the Playoffs were today, the Striker most in form is Gabbiadini.
Mattia Amaru seriously needs a close look.
Davide Frattesi as well. I believe he was on the U20 Team 1 or 2 cycles ago so he knows the setup. However, I wouldn’t throw him into a high leverage Playoff. But with 5 matches in June and a lot of turnover, he needs to be there. Born in 1999, iirc, he is at the right age to take the next step.
Just to clarify, Gabbiadini is the Striker in form besides Scamacca.
When he reaches his potential, he’s going to be a handful. A player this tall and powerful but who’s prowess is the ball at his feet.
Don’t agree with Italian players need to abroad. Would a basketball player looking to make it leave the USA?
It’s not Italian players fault that these Owners would rather have Americans, Ukbeki’s rotting on their bench (I see you Roma!). Would rather bring over Brazilians at age 15, clothe and house them rather than investing in Italians. Udinese is a joke. They have no business being in this league.
Perhaps look to Seria B, as well. I would argue that Italian Seria B players are at least, if not better, than 75% of the world’s players.
Also, Seria A club owners need to give preference to calling up club academy players and providing opportunities for them to acquire game experience.
For me Zaniolo has never had a good game for italian team,
we also need Cheillini to play these games as he is critical to the Azzurri, Orsolini is another
player that can can help this team, Darmian offers experience and speed and Gabby should probably get the not before scamacca in this line up, after Chiesa who is not in form at the moment Italy have their hands full up front trying to find goals, fortunately an we can create problems for Portugal through our midfielders who can make the difference. A healthy Spina could make a world of difference as he truly made Italy a force to be recon with when he was on the field ….
Look for Mario ballotelli he solve Italian problem in the attack