Mancini pragmatism costs Italy in 0-0 draw with Portugal: Five things learned

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Portugal became the first side to reach the final four of the inaugural UEFA Nations League after playing out a goalless draw against Italy in Milan.

Roberto Mancini’s side, who enjoyed much of the play, will rue missed chances as they failed to win a fifth consecutive international match at the San Siro.

The result means Italy avoid relegation from League A with Poland dropping into the second tier with one game (against Portugal next Tuesday) to spare. Their demotion aside, here are five more things we’ve learned.

1. San Siro is still Italy’s impenetrable fortress

As so many national teams Italy doesn’t have a permanent home address. Roberto Mancini’s men, like their predecessors, move around the football mad nation with some of the most recognisable stadiums hosting The Azzuri and it doesn’t get more illustrious than Milan’s footballing cathedral known worldwide as the San Siro.

Tonight’s meeting with the European champions Portugal was match number 44 at the 92-year old ground, which saw its first international (a 2-2 friendly draw against Czechoslovakia) being played in February 1927, and since that day they remarkably have yet to suffer a defeat.

Of course, some results feel like a loss, notably their previous fixture here: a 0-0 draw with Sweden (coupled with their 1-0 first leg win) which meant the four-time world champions would not take part at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

For their last San Siro win you have got to go back to a Euro 2014 qualification game against Denmark in 2012 with this latest draw extending their overall record to 31 wins and 13 draws.

2. Mancini’s pragmatism costs Italy

How long should a manager wait before making his first substitute? That’s the age old question. In truth, there isn’t a right or wrong answer, but sometimes it’s clear as daylight.

Italy started the game like a team possessed and they should have been leading at half-time (Lorenzo Insigne and Ciro Immobile with gilt-edged chances), they were the better side, but after the break they someone lost their way and that is when Italian boss Mancini should have reacted.

Instead he dawdled hoping those playing for him rediscovered a groove that was never coming back. By the time he brought on Kevin Lasagna for Immobile in the 74th minute the game had long passed them by.

Sometimes it’s better to bite the bullet and take a gamble rather than resting on laurels. His management so far hasn’t been the success many wanted and it’s lessons like tonight the former Inter and Manchester City coach should learn from going forward if he’s to restore his nation’s former glory.

3. A clean sheet in a competitive game on the road at last

More often than not Portugal’s attack receives the plaudits and for good reason when you consider the plethora of attack-minded players at Fernando Santos’ disposal (and that’s not including Cristiano Ronaldo).

But tonight, under the cosh, their backline deserves a mention. Not only containing an inspired Italy – before their huffing and puffing fell to the wayside – but keeping a first clean sheet on the road in a competitive game since a 2018 World Cup qualifier against Andorra on October 7, 2017.

4. Verratti pulls the strings

It’s fair to say Italy missed the mercurial Marco Verratti, who made his national team return in a 1-1 draw against Ukraine last month, after sitting out five consecutive international matches due to injury.

Across those fixtures, which coincided with Mancini’s appointment, Italy would secure one victory whilst losing two more including the reverse fixture of tonight’s game.

A world class deep-lying midfielder, Italy look a different proposition with him dictating the play, and it was for all to see why against the Portuguese as the Paris Saint-Germain man topped the passing charts: Verratti ultimately attempted 11 passes with 100 being successful.

Having someone equally adept in keeping possession and creating opportunities alongside him like Jorginho makes his life easy and there’s no doubt going forward he’s going to be Mancini’s fulcrum.

5. Ronaldo’s imminent return?

If there’s one thing Cristiano Ronaldo loves it’s making history. As of now the Juventus forward is on a self-imposed exile from international football, having not played since the summer, with no date on his return.

That being said with Portugal in the final four of UEFA’s Nation League could we hear from him soon. The thought of guiding his country to more glory, especially following another disappointing World Cup exit, must get his juices flowing.

 

The post Mancini pragmatism costs Italy in 0-0 draw with Portugal: Five things learned appeared first on Squawka News.



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