ROBERTO MANCINI

How do you rate Italy’s chances of going all the way at Euro 2020?

Even when Italy are not the favourites, we are under pressure to win. I know that we have a group of good players who are getting better game by game and who will give their all.

And what are your thoughts on a draw that pits you against Switzerland, Wales and Turkey in Group A?

You could say that the draw went well for us, given that we have avoided France and Portugal. However, they are all awkward teams with nothing to lose. Switzerland are always difficult for Italy because they know us well. Wales could be a surprise with all their Premier League players, whilst Turkey took four points off France in the qualifiers. Playing in Rome could help us but they are all difficult games.

How proud are you to coach the Azzurri?

[To coach Italy] has always been an aspiration of mine and it has come at the right time. Something has to be done for the national team. I was thinking about this when I decided I wanted to leave Zenit. I believe my parents will be proud of me.

What did you learn from the 2022 World Cup qualifiers in March, when you extended your unbeaten run even further?

Those three games in seven days were really tough and that is something we’ve got to keep in mind for the future. I think increasing the squad sizes for Euro 2020 is entirely legitimate given the current situation. The problem would be if something were to happen to a player, it would be difficult to go and get a replacement because he would be off on his holidays.

After beating Lithuania 2-0 in March, you equalled Marcello Lippi’s record of going 25 international games undefeated as Italy coach. How proud are you of that?

If we’ve got close to a guy like Lippi, who has won a World Cup, that means we’re doing a good job. Lippi and I both played for Sampdoria and that’s a great thing in itself, but now I would like to follow his path and develop a really strong national team over time. I hope that I can still be compared to him in two years’ time: that would mean that we have also done something really important.

What are the chances of young playmaker Nicolo Zaniolo being

Mancini discovery... Nicolo Zaniolo

fit in time for the European Championship?

Obviously we are keeping a close eye on him. We will be thinking about him and we will assess him when he comes back for his club [Roma]. At the same time, we cannot take the risk of calling him up if he is not ready. He is a young player and he will have other important competitions in front of him in the future.