Tonight at the Sardinia Arena Mancini field an experimental formation The Sardinians Barella Sirigu start from the bench but hope to play a piece
SANTA MARGHERITA DI PULA. Wearing the blue shirt is the dream of any football player. Who knows the emotion that Cragno will feel when he plays the hymn of Mameli. For him it will not be his debut but the first time as a starter. Even greater satisfaction in the stadium of “his” Cagliari. An important signal for Alessio, a certificate of trust from Roberto Mancini, who must choose whether to include him or Meret in the list of 26 who will go to the European Championship. It will be a very experimental national team that tonight (20.45, directed by Raiuno) will play against San Marino. The coach, exceptionally, announced the formation well in advance. A “comfortable” test for the Azzurri, useful for reviewing similar concepts, which even those who have had less space so far must demonstrate that they have made their own. The “bigs”, from Barella to Chiellini, Bonucci, Chiesa and Belotti, will rest. It will be up to them in the second test before their debut at the European Championships, the one with the Czech Republic on June 4 in Bologna. A sort of dress rehearsal before the great continental adventure.
Examination. It is enough to scroll through the names of the initial eleven to understand that the coach wants to have a clear picture before making the official list known. Today will be an important opportunity not only for Cragno, but also for Toloi and Ferrari, Bernardeschi and Grifo. Especially for the Juventus player who Pirlo used with a dropper. But in blue, when he was called into question, he always gave his contribution. It is said to be one of those at risk of cutting. Perhaps this is also why Mancini used the term “painful choices” for those he will make in a few days. The speech applies to Grifo, he too is not sure to continue the adventure. Giacomo Raspadori presses and if he is okay, it could be the final surprise. Unless, if the Under 21 team goes on in their European championship, they decide to leave it to Nicolato.
Experiment. Cristante returns to the role he prefers: in the middle of the field. He will be the one to conduct the blue orchestra this evening. In Roma Fonseca, due to force majeure, used him for a long time as a central defender, a role in which he did not shine. Bryan has the opportunity to send signals to the coach, even though he knows very well that the owner is Jorginho who will join the group after the Champions League final with Chelsea. The same thing will do Emerson Palmieri.
Homecoming. It will be for Barella. Nicolò at the “Sardegna Arena” is at home and will find many friends ready to greet the fresh champion of Italy. He would be very keen to play at least a few minutes in the stadium that often saw him as a protagonist and applauded him (today there will be 500 spectators in the stands, all guests of the FIGC) and where in the league he punished Cagliari, a team to which he remained very attached . Who knows if Mancini will grant him this privilege. A Sardinian with the blue jersey in his land is the best, especially for those who are very close to their roots. And who knows if this privilege during the match will also be granted to Salvatore Sirigu, the other representative of the Quattro Mori in the national team.
The opponents. San Marino is the least popular national team in the European ranking. Almost all of them are amateur footballers shaped by coach Franco Varrella. The two draws obtained in the Nations League matches were a small step forward for a team that has often faced goleade. Tonight’s game is an exam to verify the state of the art of a work that up to now, however, has given it some fruit. There has been progress in the game but the human material from which to draw is too limited.
R.M.