Despite not yet participating in a single major tournament, Roberto Mancini has won the trust of the Italy supporters. The legendary striker has led his national team to the semi finals of the Euro Nations League, enjoyed a flawless qualification to the Euro 2020, and has recently opened the World Cup qualifiers with two comfortable wins against Northern Ireland and Bulgaria.
Whilst there are definitely some many reasons behind the Azzurri’s ever-improving form in the least three years, here are three methods applied by the former Inter manager which arguably helped the team in finding back it winning ways.
Inserting Talent
Remember the days of Giampiero Ventura when the team would be filled with holding midfielders and cautious wingbacks?
The former Torino coach would be willing to play only one of Marco Verratti and Jorginho, despite the two obviously being the best midfielders at his disposal.
Fortunately, Mancini decided to adopt a completely different approach. In his 4-3-3 system, almost all of his midfielders are good ballers, whilst his full backs tend to support the attacks.
To put it shortly, the current manager is looking for a more progressive type of football, and so far it seems to be working out just fine.
15 – Roberto #Mancini is one among the three managers to stay unbeaten in his first 15 home matches with #Italy, after Enzo Bearzot and Marcello Lippi. Elite.#ItaliaIrlandadelNord pic.twitter.com/0hzpOi84zs
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) March 25, 2021
Fair Opportunities
Whilst most national team managers tend to favor those who play in the bigger clubs, Mancini have so far provided equal opportunities for players all around Italy.
In the first World Cup qualification match against Northern Ireland, Juventus duo Federico Chiesa and Federico Bernardeschi were left on the bench, while Sassuolo’s Domenico Berardi started on the right wing – and the latter repaid his manager’s faith with the opening goal.
4 – Four of the last seven goals scored by Italy have been netted by @SassuoloUS' players: three with Domenico Berardi and one Manuel Locatelli. Source.#BulgariaItalia
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) March 28, 2021
Large Squad
The best thing about managing a national team is the fact that you get an endless pool of players to chooses from, and you can pick as many as you’d like – it’s not like you have to them.
But for one reason or another, a large section of national team managers tend to stick with a limited group of players.
Not Mancini – the Italy coach decided to call up to 38 players for the ongoing international break, and has been rotating between the matches.
Even though it is natural to have a certain pecking order, and several called-up players return to their clubs without playing a single minute, but at least they are made to feel as a part of the squad, and when absences occur then it would be much easier for those who have already been called-up to step up and take their spots on the pitch.