Oriali warning Italy face ‘difficult spell’ under Mancini

Head coach of Italy Roberto Mancini, Team manager Gabriele Oriali and Assistant coach Alberico Evani look on during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Group A match between Italy and Wales at Olimpico Stadium on June 20, 2021 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

Italy team manager Gabriele Oriali warns they are going into ‘a difficult spell’ with the return of Roberto Mancini, and hits out at ‘shameful’ Juventus ultras disrespecting Sandro Mazzola.

The Azzurri came together today at the Coverciano camp to begin training for the Nations League games, starting with Belgium on Friday, then visiting Turkiye on September 28 and France on October 2.

Vincenzo Montella’s Turkish side arrive on October 5, then the group concludes against France on November 12 and Belgium on November 15.

Oriali on Italy reboot

It is not just coach Mancini who has returned to the Italy staff, but also team manager Oriali.

“It is certainly not the best moment for Italian football, we know that we are heading into a difficult spell,” Oriali told Rai 2.

“The lads need to recognise that too. The important thing is for everyone to understand the moment, share it, have collective responsibility, respect and a little discipline, all of which never hurts.

“It is by finding that team spirit, that group togetherness, that we can then achieve results.”

Togetherness is not something that Italian football is excelling at right now, as displayed by the Juventus ultras turning their backs on the pitch during a minute’s silence to remember Italy and Inter legend Mazzola.

“I remember the first training sessions at the Pinetina, Mazzola was one of those who welcomed me with open arms,” added former Inter player Oriali.

“He gave me a lift home one day after training, people couldn’t believe it when they saw him. I have only fond memories of him as a teammate and a person, without forgetting he was also a great director who brought Ronaldo to Serie A.

“The ultras turning their backs was an ugly image. I hope that these people can be identified and left out of the stadium, it’s shameful. There are champions who go beyond the jerseys they wear, and this was just a deplorable gesture.”