The Azzurri Archives - Page 4 of 9

Italian Football Leaders Clash over Playing in Saudi Arabia

January 19, 2023 Enrico Passarella FIGC, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Super Cup

The divide at the top of Italian football became manifest over the Supercoppa taking place in Riyadh. The president of the federation, Gabriele Gravina opposes holding the match abroad, while Serie A head Lorenzo Casini retorted with a jab and confirmed the buzz about switching the format.

A last-minute call by coach Azeglio Vicini, Salvatore Schillaci became the King of the World Cup 1990, scoring 6 goals and leading Italy to the 3rd place

World Cup One-Hit Wonders: Schillaci, Crownless King of Italia 90

November 21, 2022 Antonio Guarini Argentina, Germany, Italy, Meanwhile In Moscow, Serie A, The Azzurri, The Grass Is Greener, World Cup, World Cup 2022

As World Cup 1990 approached, Italy's coach Azeglio Vicini could lineup strikers such as Gianluca Vialli and Roberto Baggio. Still, he decided to add to his squad a little known Sicilian forward from Juventus. His name was Salvatore Schillaci, and he became the underdog King of the Notti Magiche ("Magic Nights") of Italia '90, scoring 6 goals and leading the Azzurri to the 3rd place.

Defender Fabio Grosso is the man who in 2006 led Italy to their 4th world title, despite not being part of coach Marcello Lippi's initial lineup

World Cup One-Hit Wonders: Grosso, the Man of the Last Minute

November 19, 2022 Antonio Guarini France, Germany, Italy, Meanwhile In Moscow, Serie A, The Azzurri, The Grass Is Greener, World Cup, World Cup 2022

“You will take the last penalty, because you have always been decisive so far.” This is what coach Marcello Lippi told Fabio Grosso before the penalty shootouts that determined the outcome of World Cup 2006 Final between Italy and France. Lippi’s choice to bet on a player who was not even part of his original starting lineup proved to be a winning one.

On November 6, 1996, Arrigo Sacchi coached the Azzurri for the last time in a friendly game played in Sarajevo against Bosnia Herzegovina

On This Day – November 6, 1996: Sacchi’s Last Game as Italy Coach

November 6, 2022 The Cult of Calcio Italian Football, Italy, On This Day, Serie A, The Azzurri

On November 6, 1996, coach Arrigo Sacchi directed the Azzurri for the last time. He didn't know that a friendly game played in a battle-scarred Sarajevo against Bosnia Herzegovina would be his last showing as Italy's commander in chief.

Newly-appointed Saudi Arabia national team coach Roberto Mancini has lashed out at the Italian Football Federation, FIGC, for treating him unfavorably.

Mancini Heaps Praise on Napoli, Laments Lack of Options

October 18, 2022 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Atalanta, Italian Football, Italy, Napoli, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021, Serie A 2021-2022, The Azzurri

Italy coach Roberto Mancini attended Il Gran Galà del Calcio, which assigned the awards for the past Serie A season, and commented on the national team and the current campaign: "The championship has been nice, but there are fewer and fewer Italians. Only the usual ones are getting regular minutes."

Immobile missing the past two Italy games, in particular the Hungary one, caused controversy, as he was ready to board the flight before Lazio stepped in.

Lazio Star Feeling Better after Controversial Absence

September 30, 2022 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Italy, Lazio, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Spezia, The Azzurri

Immobile missing the past two Italy games, in particular the Hungary one, caused some controversy, as he appeared ready to board the flight to Budapest before Lazio stepped in. The striker cleared the air and provided an update on his status: "I’m feeling good but it’s a little dangerous to practice and play."

José Mourinho commented on his first year at Roma and commented on the Azzurri failing to qualify for the World Cup in an interview.

Mourinho Relishing Time in Rome, Takes Shots at Mancini

September 23, 2022 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Italy, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, The Azzurri, World Cup 2022

José Mourinho commented on his first year at Roma and said his piece on the Azzurri failing to qualify for the World Cup in an interview: "Training centers are always the same, but what changes is that I feel good in this club, and I have a nice relationship with everybody. I’m happy in Italy.”

Italy coach Roberto Mancini hasn't called up Nicolò Zaniolo and Mattia Zaccagni, even though the Azzurri don't have a stacked frontline.

Roma and Lazio Stars Currently in Mancini Doghouse

September 21, 2022 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Lazio, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, The Azzurri

Italy coach Roberto Mancini hasn't called up Nicolò Zaniolo and Mattia Zaccagni for the next two matches, even though the Azzurri don’t exactly have a stacked frontline. The gaffer justified it by saying that he did it because of their busy schedules. However, there were ulterior and off-the-pitch reasons behind the choice.

Ciro Immobile seriously considered quitting the Azzurri, but Roberto Mancini talked him into continuing contributing to the national team.

Mancini Convinced Immobile to Keep Playing with Italy

September 20, 2022 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Italy, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, The Azzurri

Ciro Immobile seriously considered quitting the Azzurri after the missed qualification to the World Cup, but Roberto Mancini talked him into continuing contributing to the national team: "You contemplate a lot of things when you experience big disappointments like that one. Then things changed after I spoke with the coach."

As Italy fell to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of England, Mancini was dealt with another blow with regards to availability of his players going forward.

Mancini Talks Donnarumma, Scamacca and World Cup Goal

July 11, 2022 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Inter, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Lazio, PSG, Roma, Sassuolo, Serie A, The Azzurri, Transfer Market

A year after Italy won the Euro, coach Roberto Mancini looked back at the triumph and discussed multiple players that are subjected to the transfer market buzz in an interview. The coach remains confident in the future of the Azzurri.

Federico Chiesa is hard at work at the Juventus training center ahead of his return from an ACL tear. The attacker underwent surgery in January.

Chiesa Provides Update on His Return Date, Coy on No.10

June 10, 2022 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Italy, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, The Azzurri

Federico Chiesa is hard at work at the Juventus training center ahead of his return from an ACL tear. The attacker underwent surgery in January and is likely to miss the early portion of next season. The winger commented on his recovery during an event.

Roberto Mancini issued his call-ups for the upcoming Italy matches, naming a large squad as usual. The coach will have 39 men at his disposal.

Roberto Mancini Names Italy Call-ups for June Fixtures

May 24, 2022 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Italy, Nations League, Serie A, Serie A 2021-2022, The Azzurri

Roberto Mancini issued the call-ups for the upcoming Italy matches, naming a large squad as usual. The coach will have 39 men at his disposal for the Finalissima against Argentina and four Nations League games against Germany, Hungary and England.

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