Mancini earns applause from media and confident Italy youth will flourish

Roberto Mancini made an emotional confession about Gianluca Vialli that saw the media erupt in applause after Italy’s win over Turkiye, and noted young players will continue to gain experience.

The coach had faced criticism and outright hostility after his return to the Azzurri bench, having walked away in the summer of 2023 for a job in Saudi Arabia.

He then lost his first Nations League match 2-0 at home to Belgium, but is right back in second place now after a pair of victories over Turkiye and the 1-1 in France.

Mancini having a different Italy experience

At this evening’s press conference, Mancini was asked what he is missing the most compared to his first experience as Italy coach.

“Gianluca Vialli,” he replied in a quiet voice.

This prompted a spontaneous burst of applause from the assembled journalists, who all remember the former striker and member of Mancini’s staff so fondly.

Times have changed since that EURO 2020 triumph, and that also means different personnel with a new generation to be brought through.

“Turkiye are not so weak, despite their defeats. We changed nine players and therefore lost some of that fluidity in our gameplay, but we couldn’t do otherwise with a fourth game in 11 days.

“We are pleased because we have improved as an overall team, regardless of the results. The fact we can play for qualification in the Nations League is already a good achievement.”

They are now second, three points behind France and one ahead of Belgium, who were swept aside 4-1 this evening.

“Riccardo Calafiori is already a leader, in technical, physical and intellectual terms, absolutely,” said Mancini of the Arsenal defender after his first senior Italy goal.

“Antonio Vergara needs to play these games so he can keep raising the bar, and I’m sure he will improve a great deal in future. Issa Doumbia already plays regularly in the Champions League, so has the advantage, but I liked both their performances today.

“Alessandro Romano, Vergara, they all need to play these games to get accustomed to the level.”

Gianluca Scamacca had irritated Mancini just before scoring the opening goal when making the wrong movement to wander offside, but then netted his first Italy goal in three years.

“I think considering Scamacca’s quality, he can do a lot more. I took him off, along with Matteo Ruggeri, because both were booked and the referee seemed to be eager to pull out a second yellow at any moment.”

Pio Esposito came off the bench and quickly scored his seventh goal for the Nazionale in just 13 senior caps.

“I think Esposito is hungry for goals, to fight, to play. He is extraordinary, and I think in the space of two years he can comfortably be the kind of centre-forward who helps the team work, just like Christian Vieri and Luca Toni did.

“Considering his physicality and technical quality, I believe he can become a great centre-forward.”

Vincenzo Montella is facing calls for his dismissal after losing all four Nations League matches, but he was the one who got them promoted to League A.

“I think Montella has done an excellent job bringing Turkiye to the World Cup and Nations League A. I worked in Turkiye, but that was at club level with Galatasaray, so a very different situation,” added Mancini.

“He was missing key players, so naturally that takes away a lot. This evening was a very balanced encounter and both teams played well.”