BSP-15 Mancini determined to rekindle Italy’s love affair with football

238

ZCZC

BSP-15

FBL-EUR-NATIONS-ITA-POL

Mancini determined to rekindle Italy’s love affair with football

MILAN, Sept 6, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Roberto Mancini takes charge of his first
competitive game as Italy coach in Friday’s Nations League opener against
Poland in Bologna with the tough task of rekindling the nation’s love affair
with their national side, decimated after the low of their World Cup fiasco.

The former Inter Milan and Manchester City boss was appointed in May after
the four-time winners’ shock failure to qualify for the World Cup for the
first time since 1958.

Mancini’s job will be to rebuild a new and vibrant side going into the
European Championship in two years’ time and heading towards the 2022 World
Cup in Qatar.

The Nations League — in which Italy will also be up against European
champions Portugal in Group 3 — will have an impact on seeding for Euro
2020.

And the 53-year-old has insisted that a key to his strategy was to bring
in new blood after the departure of several veterans, including iconic
goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, in the wake of Italy’s World Cup play-off defeat
to Sweden last November.

Buffon’s exit has opened the way for 19-year-old AC Milan ‘keeper
Gianluigi Donnarumma.

“We’re a great group, very young,” said Donnarumma at the team’s
Coverciano training centre near Florence.

“We’re determined to bring Italian football back where it deserves to be.
It’s our duty.”

Italy have plummeted to an all-time low of 21st in the FIFA rankings.

They were eliminated in the group stage at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups,
although they fared better at the European Championship, reaching the final
in 2012 and the quarter-finals in 2016.

But Mancini said he wanted to “try something different” and focus on
youth, with four uncapped players including Roma’s Nicolo Zaniolo, who is 19
and has yet to start in a Serie A game.

“When I looked at TV and saw my name among the players called up I was
overwhelmed, I didn’t expect it. I called my father and he started crying,”
said Zaniolo, whose father Igor played for several Italian clubs including
Genoa.

“I will work with humility, commitment and by watching the best and trying
to steal some of their secrets.”

– ‘Strong message’ –

Italy’s under-21 side reached the semi-finals of the 2017 UEFA Under-21
Championship, while the under-20s finished third at the FIFA U-20 World Cup
in 2017.

Mancini called on the coaches of Serie A squads to give younger players
more playing time to build on their potential.

“We’re trying to send a strong message from Coverciano. We’re convinced
that those who play well at youth level can do so even at a higher level,”
said Mancini.

“At this historic moment there are not many Italian players playing on a
consistent basis. Because of this, we have included many young players to
increase the number of players so we can get to know them better.”

One of Mancini’s first decisions on being appointed last May was also to
recall controversial striker Mario Balotelli for the first time since the
2014 World Cup.

The Nice striker scored in his first game — a 2-1 friendly win over Saudi
Arabia — but Mancini’s next two friendlies were a 3-1 defeat to World Cup
winners France and 1-1 draw with the Netherlands.

As well as 28-year-old Balotelli, Italy’s strike options also include
Lazio forward Ciro Immobile, 28, Fiorentina’s Federico Chiesa, 20, and
Juventus’s Federico Bernardeschi, 24.

To anchor the younger players, veteran Juventus defender Giorgio
Chiellini, 34, returns to the squad for the first time since Italy’s World
Cup play-off defeat.

“Chiellini is back and he’s captain, he’s a point of reference and
experience, especially for the youngsters,” said Italy’s Chelsea midfielder
Jorginho.

“Italy doesn’t deserve to stay where we are now, we’re all motivated to do
well and get back to winning. There’s enthusiasm and we feel good together.”

“I can guarantee you that this national team is not so far from the best.”
Poland too have something to prove after being eliminated in the group stage
at the World Cup without star striker Robert Lewandowski scoring once. He and
Napoli striker Arkadiusz Milik are expected to play.

After Poland, Italy play Portugal — minus Cristiano Ronaldo — in Lisbon
on September 10.

BSS/AFP/ARS/1633 hrs