Italy manager Roberto Mancini has reportedly told his players to “accept and understand” the frustration of fans following their 2-0 defeat to Belgium. The loss marked the first game of Mancini’s second spell in charge of the national team, a match where the Azzurri were booed by supporters at both half-time and full-time.
According to reports from Italy, Mancini addressed the squad after the disappointing result, attempting to convey a sense of optimism for the journey ahead. He emphasised that the boos, while unwelcome, stemmed from a deep-seated disappointment and love for the national team that fans felt had been betrayed by recent performances.
Veteran Players Under Scrutiny
Following the defeat, Italian sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport was critical of the performances of four experienced Italy players. The newspaper singled out Sandro Tonali, Nicolò Barella, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, and Gianluca Mancini for their displays against Belgium.
Sandro Tonali, who recently moved to Spurs, was highlighted as struggling to lead his club side, which currently sits at the bottom of the Premier League. La Gazzetta dello Sport suggested that Tonali has found it difficult to perform consistently when the demands of the national team intensify.
Nicolò Barella, a key player for Inter Milan, was noted for delivering only intermittent performances for the national side. Similarly, Giovanni Di Lorenzo was described as having been a ‘non-factor’ for the Azzurri for some time. Roma’s Gianluca Mancini also drew criticism for what was described as rashness and mistimed decisions when called upon to defend the penalty area.
Looking Ahead to Turkey Clash
In the immediate aftermath of the Belgium match, two of the criticised players, Nicolò Barella and Gianluca Mancini, are among ten Italy squad members who will train at Coverciano over the next two days. They will not be available for Italy’s upcoming match against Turkey on Monday.
Mancini’s first tenure as Italy coach, which began in 2018, also saw a challenging start with a 1-1 draw against Poland and a 1-0 loss to Portugal, both of which were met with boos. However, that period eventually led to a 37-game unbeaten run and the Euro 2021 title. The current squad will be hoping to emulate that resilience as they look to bounce back from this initial setback under their returning manager.