In a recent interview, former Italy coach Roberto Mancini shared his thoughts on the national team`s recent performances and the state of Italian football. He addressed the team`s Euro 2020 victory, their failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, and highlighted some promising young talents.
Euro 2020 Success and World Cup Disappointment
Mancini acknowledged the role of luck in football success, citing Italy`s Euro 2020 victory as an example of fortune favoring his team. However, he also pointed to “terrible bad luck” in Italy`s failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, despite dominating their group. He emphasized the fine margins in football, noting how close Argentina came to losing the World Cup final against France.
Current State of the National Team
Addressing the pessimism surrounding the Italian national team following their recent 3-0 loss to Norway, Mancini cautioned against excessive negativity. He suggested that negative news often garners more attention, which can skew perceptions of the team`s actual potential.
Young Talent in Italian Football
Mancini expressed particular enthusiasm for Simone Pafundi, describing the young player`s lack of playing time in Serie A as “one of football`s greatest mysteries.” He stressed the importance of giving young players opportunities to play and develop, even if it means allowing them to make mistakes.
The former coach also highlighted other promising talents, including Fazzini, Liberali, and Lucca, whom he believes could become an excellent striker for Italy in the future.
Mancini`s Perspective on Player Development
Emphasizing the need for patience and opportunity in developing young players, Mancini stated, “A young player needs to play, sit out, play again, but then comes the most important part: they need to be allowed to make mistakes.” This approach, he believes, is crucial for nurturing the next generation of Italian football stars.