Roberto Mancini praised Italy’s response as they came from behind to beat France 3-1, but the manager was left frustrated by a missed penalty and an early mistake from Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Italy recovered from conceding to Olympique Oles to produce a performance Mancini described as “fantastic”, securing a result that carried both sporting and symbolic importance.
“It was a great performance,” Mancini said after the match. “The players played a great game and I am very happy for them. This victory was extremely important for the supporters who came to the stadium.”
The Italy manager said his side still had considerable work to do, despite the significance of the result. He added that the squad was determined to restore the national team’s status and return to competing for major honours after failing to qualify for the World Cup three times in a row.
“There is still a lot of work to do because the road is long, but the players are determined to come back strongly,” Mancini said. “Little by little, we will achieve a good objective. I liked everything today, although we conceded an early goal and the match could have ended in a heavy defeat.”
Donnarumma error fails to derail Italy
Donnarumma’s early error allowed France to take the lead and threatened to put the hosts under significant pressure in the opening stages.
Mancini, however, was pleased with the way his players dealt with the setback and regained control rather than allowing the mistake to unsettle them.
“It was a mistake and, unfortunately, these things happen in football,” he said. “But we remained calm and returned to playing in the way we know. That is the most important thing.”
Italy now face Belgium in Brussels in the final group match. Mancini warned his players that the victory over France could not be treated as the end of the job.
“There are many things to think about,” he said. “This victory does not mean much on its own. Now we have to go to Belgium and win.”
Mancini clarifies penalty responsibility
Italy’s first penalty, awarded in the 60th minute with the score 1-1, created further tension. Cambiagi was brought down by Malo Gusto, but Sebastiano Esposito sent the spot-kick wide when his brother Pio was expected to take it.
Mancini reacted angrily, while Gabriele Oriali and Leonardo Bonucci intervened to make clear that Sebastiano had not been the designated taker. The player left the field a few minutes later as attempts were made to explain the incident to the manager.
Pio Esposito said his brother had a better penalty record but should not have taken the kick.
“My brother has scored more penalties than me, but he should not have taken it,” Pio said. “We were both on the list of penalty takers. Seba has scored the most penalties in the whole team, and any player can miss one.”
Mancini was more direct in his response, insisting Pio had been responsible. “Pio Esposito should have taken the penalty, and next time the Esposito brothers will not make the same mistake,” he said.
The result also ended Italy’s wait for a home victory over France stretching back more than six decades. Their previous win on Italian soil came on 5 May 1962, when they won 2-1 in Florence.
