Italy coach Roberto Mancini says he wants to win the Nations League competition in June before bringing the World Cup back to Italy. The Azzurri boss was speaking (as quoted by IlNapolista) during a presentation of the new partnership between the FIGC and Telepass and was inevitably quizzed on a number of topics relating to the national team, including qualification for EURO 2026, the status of various injured players and putting last years World Cup qualification disappointment behind him:
“The match against England? When we have difficulties maybe it’s better, the match will be difficult, England are one of the strongest teams in the world and it’s not an easy group to qualify from, it will be important to start well.
Is the fact that the Italian teams are progressing in the European cups a sign or is it just chance?
“The teams are doing well, they are Italian, but there are few Italian players. This is a bit of a problem. My hope is that they play more and more, we are happy that our teams are progressing, and winning the cups would be good for Italian football.”
Has an episode like Mourinho’s with the fourth official ever happened to you?
“I didn’t see what happened, I don’t know”.
How do you see Chiesa’s progress?
“Yesterday he played a little but it’s normal after an injury like that. For us Chiesa is an important player, we hope to have him at his best.”
The footballing season has paused in Turkey, Zaniolo won’t be able to put in minutes…..
“I know but I hope he can use this experience in an important club like Galatasaray. When he starts playing and has minutes in his legs he will be back with us.”
Will 20 days be enough for Bonucci to recover?
“Leo seems to me to be fine, he hasn’t played a full game for a while but I hope he can start playing and make a few more appearances.”
Raspadori’s injury?
“Even for him the hope is that he’ll come back, he’s a decisive player, even if he plays for Italy and doesn’t play at Napoli. I trust in everyone’s recovery.”
Is the World Cup the past?
“Yes, now we want to win the Nations League in June and do well in every competition, and then bring the World Cup back to Italy.
Do you have any changes in the call-ups in mind? Gnonto is doing very well at Leeds.
“Maybe. Gnonto is a young guy, no one thought of taking him but he plays as a starter in the Premier League and that’s not a given at 19. He can still improve and he is young, he has quality. I hope other youngsters can follow his example and go abroad to play. If they are good, then they play.”
Has the Serie A season given you new ideas?
‘There are guys we already knew, guys who are good both in Italy and abroad. The next game, however, is quite difficult and tough, we need people who know this type of competition. There will be a few experiments, maybe.”
