Roberto Mancini said Italy’s 3-1 victory over Turkey in Bologna showed the team’s progress despite fatigue and numerous changes, while suggesting qualification for the Nations League quarter-finals will probably be decided in Belgium.
Mancini also singled out Inter striker Francesco Pio Esposito for praise, saying he has the potential to become a leading forward in the coming years. He said Esposito could eventually give Italy the same sense of security once provided by Christian Vieri and Luca Toni.
“I think he is hungry for goals, competition and playing,” Mancini said. “He is exceptional, and I think that in two years he could become a striker who allows the team to play with calmness, as Christian Vieri and Luca Toni did.”
He added: “Considering his physical strength and technical ability, I think he can become a great striker.”
Italy overcame fatigue
Despite making several changes, Mancini admitted Italy struggled physically and made a poor start against Turkey.
“Although we made changes, it was clear that everyone was suffering from fatigue,” he said. “We started badly, but we were clever to score immediately after the equaliser, even though this was our fourth match.”
On Alessandro Romano, Mancini said: “Romano can also play in midfield and needs more matches to develop. He played well in Rome and played well tonight too.”
He explained that Gianluca Scamacca and Roggieri were substituted after being booked because he feared they could be shown second yellow cards.
“I believe Scamacca can offer much more given the ability he possesses,” Mancini said. “I took him off, like Roggieri, because they had received yellow cards and the referee seemed inclined to show a second one at any moment.”
Mancini said Italy must maintain their current progress before November’s fixtures, when qualification could be settled.
“We have to continue in this way and see how the November matches go,” he said. “We will probably decide qualification in Belgium.”
He rejected the idea that Turkey were a weak side, despite their defeat.
“Turkey are not that weak despite the loss,” Mancini said. “We changed nine players, so we lost some fluidity, but we could not do otherwise because we had made a huge effort. It was a very positive match.”
He added: “We are happy with the team’s collective improvement, regardless of the results. The fact that we are still competing for qualification is already a fine objective.”
Mancini pays tribute to Montella and Vialli
Mancini praised Turkey manager Vincenzo Montella for taking the team back to the World Cup and into the top tier of the Nations League. He said his own experience in Turkey was different because he managed Galatasaray rather than the national team.
“Montella has done a great job,” Mancini said. “With important players absent, Turkey certainly lost something. We played very well in the first match, and after going 3-0 up it was not easy for them to come back. Tonight, it was an even game and both teams played well.”
On Riccardo Calafiori, Mancini said: “Technically and physically, he has not yet reached his mental and intellectual level. He is already a leader, definitely.”
He said Vergara needed matches of this level to improve, while Doumbia was further developed because he already played in the Champions League.
Asked who he missed most from his first spell as Italy manager, Mancini replied: “I missed Luca Vialli.”
The answer was met with applause from the journalists. Vialli played a prominent role alongside Mancini during his first period in charge of Italy and helped the team win Euro 2020.
