Mancini’s game plan is working
IMPROVEMENT: FANS MORE POSITIVE, EVEN IN DEFEAT
Manager’s plans built around a young, technically gifted midfield. Rome
Twelve months after a humiliating 0-0 draw in a play-off against Sweden saw Italy miss the World Cup for the first time in 60 years, a repeat of that scoreline against Portugal last weekend was greeted with far more positivity by the local media.
A year ago, the Corriere dello Sport said the 1-0 aggregate defeat to the Swedes was “an intolerable footballing shame” while the Corriere della Sera warned: “Italian football is about to be battered by an unprecedented storm”.
The failure to reach Russia cost coach Gian Piero Ventura his job and it was left to Roberto Mancini to salvage something.
Since taking over in May, the former Manchester City, Lazio and Inter Milan coach has successfully built foundations for a solid future and begun to restore the national team’s tarnished reputation in the eyes of its public.
The goalless draw at the San Siro against Portugal last Saturday was only good enough to seal second place in their Uefa Nations League group, however, and afterwards Mancini said: “There’s a long way to go and we are working, trying to renovate the national side with young players and a different tactical approach.”
The new tournament was his team’s first competitive test and while results have not blown anyone away, the performances have been encouraging as Italy avoided relegation by finishing ahead of Poland in the three-nation pool.
Scoring goals has been the main problem but not for a lack of trying. In four games against Portugal and Poland, the Azzurri hit 53 shots, 12 on target, but managed to score just three times.
During Tuesday’s 1-0 friendly win over the United States in Belgium, Italy needed a 94th-minute Matteo Politano strike to seal victory, despite boasting 74% possession and shooting 17 times.
The numbers are indicative of the style Mancini has implemented, built around a technically gifted midfield who move the ball quickly in a 4-3-3 system.
Although the goal drought remains a concern, the general consensus is that performances will eventually yield results.
Gazzetta dello Sport acknowledged the improvement, saying, “We can console ourselves with a national team that’s growing, playing well and knows how to fight”.
However, it warned: “In March, we can’t make any more mistakes: the road to Euro 2020 starts.” – Reuters