Mancini mulls Italy strike options with experimental side for USA friendly

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MILAN, Nov 19, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Roberto Mancini will try out an
experimental side in Tuesday’s friendly against the United States in Genk as
the Italian coach searches for a solution to Italy’s goalscoring problem
after missing out on the Nations League knockout stages.

Saturday’s goalless draw with Portugal at the San Siro was enough for the
European champions advance to the semi-finals at Italy’s expense, and
Mancini’s focus has turned towards Euro 2020 ahead of the qualifying draw in
Dublin on December 2.

The ex-Manchester City boss said Sunday he wants to “see young players in
action” against the United States.

Veteran Giorgio Chiellini has returned to club side Juventus and Lorenzo
Insigne, Alessandro Florenzi, Jorginho, and Ciro Immobile were also released
back to rejoin their respective clubs following and end to their Nations
League campaign that was simultaneously frustrating and encouraging.

“Of course, there’s a long way to go and we are working, trying to renew
the national team with young players and a different tactical approach,”
Mancini told Italian television network Rai.

Nearly nine million people watched the game as the country embraces a
younger, more vibrant Azzurri after last year’s World Cup qualification
disaster.

“Scoring goals is an important detail, but we played very well,” added
Mancini, whose side only scored two goals in their Group A3 campaign.

Since the former Manchester City and Inter Milan boss took over they have
scored just seven in eight games but Nations League performances against
Poland and Portugal have given hope for the future.

“We’ll slowly sort out the attack … we are a little unlucky in some
situations, but the team is proving that it can compete at any level in the
future and we can only get stronger from here.”

– ‘Bright future’ –

One of Mancini’s problems is that his top scorer is veteran defender
Chiellini, who has scored eight goals in his 100 appearances for the national
team.

The four-time world champions failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup
after being held to a goalless draw in the San Siro against Sweden last
November.

And they missed chances to score against Portugal on Saturday. “Now we
still need to resolve that problem of scoring goals,” continued Mancini.

“I don’t think there’s too much that needs doing, as in some situations
it’s purely about shooting 5cm one way or 10cm higher up.”

Ninteen-year-old Juventus striker Moise Kean could play a role in
Tuesday’s game, along with Brescia midfielder Sandro Tonali, 18, Roma’s
Nicolo Zaniolo, 19, and Atalanta’s 22-year-old defender Gianluca Mancini, who
has scored in each of his last three league games.

“We need to get to know them better, to see them in action,” said Mancini.

“I think there are many talented players out there, they just need to gain
some experience, to ensure that we can have a bright future ahead of us.”

Italy have a good record against the United States having lost just one in
their 12 previous meetings.

That defeat was the most recent encounter, in Genoa back in February 2012,
when Clint Dempsey’s 54th minute strike lifted the United States to a 1-0
win.

In 2006, the USA finished with nine men but held Italy 1-1 in the group
stage of the World Cup which the Italians went on to win.

US coach Dave Sarachan will be without midfielders Weston McKennie and
Luca de la Torre from the side that lost 3-0 to England in Wembley on
Thursday.

“With Italy, they are sort of in a rebuilding process, but are still one
of the elite countries in world football and so there is no question about
the quality challenge they will provide,” said Sarachan.