Mancini wants to lead Italy into a new era

Roberto Mancini is confident Italy can replicate the likes of France and Spain and usher in a new era heading into Euro 2020.

Italy failed to qualify for World Cup 2018, but have enjoyed a strong start to Euro 2020 qualification under Mancini, winning both of their opening games - 2-0 over Finland and 6-0 against Liechtenstein. Their qualification campaign continues against Greece on June 8, before Italy host Bosnia-Herzegovina three days later. And Mancini believes that his side can rebuild in a similar way to how Spain, World Cup winners in 2010, and current world champions France have previously done.

"If we do good work, if we play attacking football that is entertaining and gratifying, then results are possible," Mancini told La Stampa newspaper. "We are Italy, we can be like France and Spain in opening up a new era. It's a good moment in our football. If we were to face France now, they’d beat us, but we’ll be able to have our say once Euro 2020 comes around. My idea was originally to target success in the 2022 World Cup, but now we can challenge for Euro 2020."

 

May 2, 2019

Mancini has introduced a number of emerging talents into Italy's squad since taking over, and though he acknowledged inexperience could prove to be a problem, he has no concerns over throwing youngsters such as Moise Kean and Roma star Nicolo Zaniolo in at the deep end.

"We have some real young talents coming through," Mancini added. "Kean is only 19 years old, so it's up to him, but he can become an extraordinary striker. I sometimes use him on the wing, but if he does what he needs to, then he’ll be a centre-forward. Then there are Sandro Tonali, Nicolo Barella, Gianluca Mancini and Zaniolo. They look pretty talented to me and also physically strong, so we can have our say. There is the issue of experience, because in my day, we'd reach their age and already have three years of Serie A football under our belts.

"On the other hand, it's refreshing to see their reactions and naivety."