Quarter-Final Place Within Reach as Roberto Mancini Explains Azzurri Calls
Italy head coach Roberto Mancini addressed the press in a broadcast interview in Brussels ahead of his team’s decisive UEFA Nations League group stage match against Belgium. The fixture carries direct qualification stakes, with the visiting side positioning themselves to secure a place in the knockout rounds.
The conversation focused heavily on squad selection management following a 3-1 victory against France, where physical strain and tactical adjustments forced revisions to the 23-man matchday roster. Mancini evaluated both the competitive standing of the group and individual player availability before the encounter.
Sebastiano Esposito
playerRoberto Mancini Evaluates Nations League Group Qualification Objectives
Responding to questions regarding Italy‘s position at the top of the group standings and the remaining work required to reach the quarter-finals, Mancini emphasized the task still ahead despite the squad’s performance across the group phase.
“The boys deserve to get through to the last eight of the Nations League because they’re doing an extraordinary job, but there’s still a lot to do,” said Mancini.
“France are among the top three sides in the world and Belgium are not far behind them,” he added.
Entering the match on 10 points alongside France, Italy require a single point in Brussels to guarantee progress to the quarter-finals, while a victory secures top spot in the group. Should Belgium prevail, qualification would depend on third-party results involving Turkey. To contain Belgium’s creative presence in midfield, specifically Kevin De Bruyne, Mancini noted the tactical instruction was simply “by not allowing him to play.”
Roberto Mancini Clarifies Sebastiano Esposito Selection Decision
Addressing the exclusion of forward Sebastiano Esposito from the matchday 23 following a missed spot-kick in the previous fixture, Mancini rejected claims that squad availability was tied to match discipline.
“Don’t make me laugh. It’s just a technical decision, he’s played in practically every game.”
“It’s a shame that we won’t have Frattesi or Cambiaghi, who were decisive in the game against France. Dimarco can also play as an attacking winger.”
The technical restructuring of the matchday squad also accounts for missing Davide Frattesi and Nicolo Cambiaghi, who failed to recover from physical exertion sustained against France. Additional omissions from the final 23 include Samuele Ricci, Federico Gatti, and Matteo Palma. Mancini noted tactical flexibility within the squad to cover advanced positions, identifying Federico Dimarco as an option on the wing to balance out the missing personnel.
The confirmation of Esposito’s non-punitive omission directly clarifies speculation that his removal from the 23-man panel was linked to his late penalty miss during the 3-1 win over France. Mancini confirmed the decision was driven purely by tactical management across consecutive international fixtures.
Before concluding the exchange, Mancini reflected on the team’s visit to Brussels and paid tribute to the victims of the 1985 Heysel Stadium disaster.
“We will never forget a tragedy as immense as this,” said Mancini. “I remember everything from that day of May 29, 1985. I played for Sampdoria at the time, but I am a Juventus supporter.”
This interview was broadcast on Rai.