Roberto Mancini Italy France Nations League San Siro press conference, Digi Mart USA News (San Siro, Milan): On the eve of Italy’s reunion with France at San Siro, head coach Roberto Mancini hopes his side will confirm the progress shown in the first leg. He spoke about his team’s ambitions, the situation of Gianluigi Donnarumma and the sporting stakes of the match, without being drawn into the political context surrounding the federation.
Italy meets France this Saturday at San Siro, following a 1-1 draw conceded in Saint-Denis. With seven points and two matches still to play, the Azzurri can look ahead to qualification.
Mancini, however, refuses to reduce the significance of the encounter to a simple question of the standings.
“We are obviously looking to get confirmations and to keep improving. Then, of course, with seven points and two matches to play, we can qualify.
That seems like a good thing to me, and even something a bit unexpected at the start. Both objectives are important,” the coach said at a press conference.
Asked about the form of Nicolò Barella and Cissé, who both know San Siro perfectly, Mancini said the stadium would not influence his choices. “The San Siro effect does not condition me.
I think my choices will be the right ones, whatever the stadium. It seems to me that these two players have come off very good matches.
That is positive for them as well as for us.”
Although Italy’s results could have consequences for the upcoming federal election, the coach preferred not to venture into political territory. “I think we must concentrate on the match.
Right now, we have one game tomorrow and another on Sunday. Those are the important things at the moment.”
Mancini also looked back on Italy’s performance in Paris, where his team delivered a convincing match against the French. He expects another difficult contest against a side he considers one of the best in the world.
“It was a good match, including in the moments when we had to defend, because France still pushed us back, as they did against Belgium. It is a very great team.
But there were also things we could have improved on our side. We hope to manage that tomorrow to win the match.”
The case of Gianluigi Donnarumma, who could return to San Siro after the whistles he has been subjected to in the past, was also addressed. Mancini hopes the Milan public will give his goalkeeper a different welcome.
“I hope so. Gigio is a great goalkeeper, but also an extraordinary person.
Beyond what happened a few years ago, I do not think he deserves to be whistled. We hope people come to the stadium to encourage their team.
For our part, we hope to give them reasons to support us.”
Finally, with Italy having lost three of its last three home matches at San Siro, Mancini recalled a winning precedent: “I won the last match, and it was not simple, against England.”
The coach also raised the possibility of using Alessandro Bastoni and Federico Dimarco in a four-defender system. “These are players who have also played in a back four.
A few training sessions are enough for them to find their bearings and feel comfortable.”
