Coach Mancini ahead of the Turkey clash: ‘No pressure, we just need to work’

Coach Roberto Mancini appealed for calm regarding the Italian national team. After the loss to Belgium at the Olimpico in the first Nations League game, the Azzurri became the target of much criticism from fans and beyond, and now they will play against Turkey, a clash that has been defined as a kind of playoff.

“We must continue to stay calm, without the nervousness I see around,” Roberto Mancini said in an interview with Sky TG24 — “football is made of episodes. On Friday evening things could have changed in the second half, but Belgium won deservedly. Young players need to be given time; I liked Romano, he played a good game, beyond the mistake that everyone can make.”

Now it’s Turkey, where Mancini admitted he could make some changes to the lineup.

“Now in Turkey, we have the opportunity to change something and maybe also some players, because at these levels you can’t play 4 games so close to each other,” Mancini continued — “Montella has a very strong team, full of talent, it will be difficult.”

Coach Mancini also lifted all the pressure off his team.

“Pressure after the loss to Belgium? None, it’s a football game. Tomorrow we will try to play well and win,” he added in an interview with Rai Sport — “even when we won the European Championship, before it there was no confidence. We were not among the 6-7 favorite teams. We just need to work and give time to the young players. Unfortunately, in clubs they don’t have much time to play games of this level, we must give them time.”

Roberto Mancini also spoke to Sportmediaset where he spoke clearly about the revival of the Italian national team.

“The Italian national team cannot be reborn with 2 training sessions,” Mancini said — “we knew we would face difficulties. We are evaluating all players, especially the youngest, to understand whether they can stay with us or not. The Nations League run? We have 5 more games, anything can happen.”