Roberto Mancini Italy France Nations League preview, Digi Mart USA News (San Siro, Milan): Italy approaches its next two UEFA Nations League matches with the chance to book a place in the semifinals. Before meeting France at San Siro, head coach Roberto Mancini stressed that his team is still a work in progress despite improvements since the start of the competition.
“Given the current situation and how things have developed over these first four matches, we have the chance to secure qualification for the semifinals. That said, the road is still long and a lot of work remains to be done.
That is certain,” the coach warned.
To carry out this project, Mancini is relying on youth. The current squad has the lowest average age since he took charge.
He said this change does not reflect a radical shift in the Serie A landscape. “I don’t feel the situation has changed much; it is largely the same.
Some young players get playing time, others do not. But we have a duty to seek them out and call up young players so we can get to know them directly.
That is why we also call on young players with good technical qualities. We believe they can become very good players in time.”
The coach therefore supports a policy of renewal, even if it means leaving out more experienced players. Asked about the absences of Bryan Cristante, Federico Bernardeschi and Giacomo Calò, he distinguished the situation of the first two from that of the Frosinone midfielder, whose agent had publicly expressed regret over his non-selection.
“We know Bernardeschi and Cristante; we do not need to test them. When we need them, we will call them up.
For now, we need other solutions, younger players who must gain experience. Calò is among the many players currently performing well.
Frosinone has three or four good players. But we cannot call up players aged 29 or 30 at this stage.
We will do so when necessary, but certainly not because their agent asks us to.”
Mancini also discussed the younger members of his group, beginning with Marco Palestra, an attacking full-back currently returning from injury. “Palestra is an attacking full-back who may eventually play as a winger in the future.
But for now he is an attacking full-back, and that suits us very well. He is returning from injury and will need some time to regain his best physical condition.”
Another young player drawing the coach’s attention is Mattia Liberali. “All the young players here have impressed us and given us good feelings.
Liberali is a very good player with great qualities, even though he has few Serie A appearances so far. He has, however, done very good things at youth level.
But there are several others.”
The coach also addressed the question of dual-nationality players. Italy is seeking to persuade young talents eligible for more than one national team, such as Matteo Palma, who was recently called up and who could also have chosen Germany.
“This is not only our case; all national teams operate this way. When a player holds dual nationality and is good, we try to convince him to join us.
We managed to attract Palma, who I think can become a very good defender. He was hesitating between Italy and Germany.
We succeeded in convincing him, as with other players. We will see what happens in the future.”
Finally, Mancini welcomed the renewed enthusiasm surrounding the Azzurri, which is expected to bring strong support at San Siro against the French. He cautioned against complacency: “We are pleased with the renewed enthusiasm around the national team, but we still need to raise our level of expectation.”
