Italy coach Roberto Mancini talked to the press ahead of the second match versus Switzerland, as transcribed by Tuttomercatoweb. “Our goal is to qualify for the next stage, and we are aware that the next game will always be the hardest.” Alessandro Florenzi is set to be sidelined due to a calf contracture: “Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Rafael Toloi are in contention to replace him, but it would not change a whole lot, even though the latter is more offensive-minded. We still have two practices to decide.”
Domenico Berardi is instead ready to go following a knock: “Everybody is capable and knows what to do. Should Federico Chiesa or Andrea Belotti play in the attack, it would not make much of a difference. There was more pressure in the opening bout, but we must remain laser-focused. The guys are pretty experienced and already played in similar fixtures. They know what to expect from them.”
Mancini updated on the status of Marco Verratti: “We will see. He is doing better, he has been practicing with the team for three or four days, he is fine now. He has a chance to play. He assessed the opponents: “They are an excellent team with a few quality players, they have a precise game plan and a veteran coach. It will be a tough contest.”
Considering the win over Turkey and the tie between Switzerland and Wales, Italy would clinch the qualification to the elimination phase if they were successful again Wednesday. Coach Roberto Mancini is expected to field his go-to lineup and limit the rotation given the five-day turnaround.