Roberto Mancini delivered a heartfelt tribute to Gianluca Vialli after Italy’s win against Türkiye, which led to an unprompted burst of applause from the journalists present. When asked what he misses most from his first stint in charge of the Azzurri, Mancini replied plainly: “Gianluca Vialli.”
The Italy coach has gone through a very different experience since coming back to the bench, including criticism after his 2023 departure for a move to Saudi Arabia. Still, wins over Türkiye and a 1-1 draw in France have lifted Italy back into second place in the Nations League following their 2-0 home loss to Belgium.
Mancini recalls Vialli
Vialli’s name instantly shifted the atmosphere at Mancini’s press conference, with the gathered media answering his short but emotional reply with applause. The former striker had been part of Mancini’s Italy staff and is still warmly remembered.
The coach also recognised how much the national team has changed since the EURO 2020 triumph. A new generation is now being brought in, with younger players needing chances to get used to international football.
“We changed nine players and therefore lost some of that fluidity in our gameplay, but we couldn’t do otherwise with a fourth game in 11 days,” Mancini said. He added that Italy have improved as a team regardless of the results and described the chance to compete for Nations League qualification as a significant achievement.
Italy gives young players experience
Italy are now three points behind France and one ahead of Belgium, who were beaten 4-1. Mancini was especially impressed by Riccardo Calafiori after the Arsenal defender scored his first senior international goal, calling him a leader in technical, physical, and intellectual terms.
The coach also stressed the importance of giving Antonio Vergara, Issa Doumbia, and Alessandro Romano more opportunities. Vergara, he said, needs these matches to continue improving, while Doumbia already has the benefit of regular Champions League football.
“Alessandro Romano and Vergara, they all need to play these games to get accustomed to the level,” Mancini added, underlining the role these matches can play in developing Italy’s younger players.
Mancini assesses Scamacca and Esposito
Gianluca Scamacca finally ended a three-year wait for an Italy goal, although Mancini felt the striker could offer considerably more. The coach had been frustrated by an offside movement shortly before the goal and later substituted Scamacca after he was booked.
Mancini also revealed that Matteo Ruggeri was taken off for the same reason, explaining that both players had been booked and he felt the referee appeared ready to produce another yellow card.
Pio Esposito made an immediate impact after coming off the bench, scoring his seventh goal for the national team in only his 13th senior appearance. Mancini was full of praise for the forward’s attitude and believes he has the qualities to become a major centre-forward.
“I think Esposito is hungry for goals, to fight, to play. He is extraordinary,” Mancini said, adding that his physical and technical qualities could eventually make him the kind of striker who helps Italy in the same way Christian Vieri and Luca Toni did.
Mancini backs Montella after defeat
Mancini also defended Vincenzo Montella despite the pressure surrounding the Türkiye coach after four Nations League defeats. He pointed out that Montella had previously guided Türkiye to the World Cup and Nations League A.
“I think Montella has done an excellent job bringing Türkiye to the World Cup and Nations League A,” Mancini said. He also noted that Türkiye were missing important players, which naturally affected the team.
Mancini described the match as a balanced contest in which both sides played well, while acknowledging that his own experience in Türkiye came at the club level with Galatasaray and was therefore a different situation.