Mancini: ‘Still two Italy doubts, three players can be on right or left’

Italy coach Roberto Mancini smiles during a press conference ahead of the Nations League match against Belgium (figc.it)

Roberto Mancini won’t choose his Italy starting XI against Belgium until Friday morning. ‘There are two doubts. Nicolò Zaniolo, Moise Kean and Nicolò Cambiaghi can play on the right or left.’

It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Friday at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST).

The Nations League Group A is completed by France and Vincenzo Montella’s Turkiye.

This is the return to the Nazionale for the coach who won the EURO 2020 trophy, but failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, then controversially walked away in August 2023.

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Considering the rubble he has come back to, what is the objective going into this extremely tough Nations League group?

“To play well from the start, which won’t be easy considering we’ve had just two days to prepare for this game,” said Mancini in his press conference.

“This is what international football is like, we have to get things done quickly and get results, that is the only medicine for what ails us. We hope to reach the Final Four of the Nations League, it’s a strong group and so it won’t be easy, but we’ll try.

“I can’t wait to hear the national anthem playing. Many of these players are experienced, and naturally there is pressure, but it’s positive pressure because playing football is their passion and they need to enjoy it.”

Alessandro Bastoni is suspended, while Federico Dimarco and Bryan Cristante pulled out through injury, so there are a few doubts going into the first game.

“We are pretty close to the starting XI, but there are two doubts. We will decide tomorrow morning.”

It is believed the biggest concerns are in the trident attack, where Moise Kean, Daniel Maldini and Giacomo Raspadori are fighting for one spot, Nicolò Zaniolo and Nicolò Cambiaghi for another, only Inter striker Francesco Pio Esposito is sure.

“Cambiaghi can play on the right or left, just like Kean and Zaniolo,” replied Mancini.

“Sandro Tonali had a slight physical problem when he arrived, but hasn’t felt anything else, so he ought to be fine.”

Mancini famously used two playmakers for Italy in Jorginho and Marco Verratti, so can he repeat that?

“Every player has his own characteristics, we have very different midfielders now to Jorginho and Verratti.”

There ought to be a debut in midfield for Alessandro Romano, who has flourished at Cagliari and switched to Italy after playing for Switzerland at Under-21 level.

“I didn’t know him much before, but he impressed me and I wanted to see more. We believe he can be very useful for the future of the Nazionale. He has vision, plays one-touch football, and Claudio Ranieri worked with him at Roma, so that was important too.

“Young players can make mistakes at the start, so it’s important to help them and believe in them. Mistakes are how they learn.”