Despair turns to optimism as Mancini’s Italy take shape

The despair which followed Italy’s defeat by Portugal a month ago has suddenly turned to unbridled optimism following Sunday’s 1-0 stoppage-time win away to Poland in the Nations League. Italian media agreed the performance was one of the best in the last few years as Roberto Mancini’s new-look side dominated the match in Chorzow and created chances almost at will. It was very different to the mood after Italy were outplayed by Portugal, prompting Gazzetta dello Sport to publish the headline “Italy always going downwards”. Yesterday, the same paper boomed: “This is Italy”. “Finally, Italy win and convince,” it added. A headline in Corriere dello Sport, meanwhile, simply read: “Bellissima.”

Mancini was appointed with the job of rebuilding Italy following their failure to qualify for this year’s World Cup, the first time they have missed the tournament in 60 years. It was never going to be an easy task for the former Manchester City and Inter Milan coach. Italy no longer produce worldclass players in abundance and teams such Juventus, Napoli and AS Roma are dominated by foreigners, as Mancini pointed out last month.

But Mancini said there was still enough talent around to make Italy great again, even if it was going to take time. It was a case, he said, of putting faith in younger and lesser-known players and having patience. There were certainly some interesting choices in Sunday’s line-up. Left back Cristiano Biraghi, who scored the winning goal, was relegated with Pescara two seasons ago and was making his third appearance for Italy at the age of 26.