Preparation for the Europeans
CAGLIARI. An experimental and fresh Italy of retreat-relaxation, but against San Marino he does what he has to do: seven goals without conceding anyone. It is impossible for Mancini to determine from this match whether Cragno or Meret is better: the guests have never engaged the goalkeepers. But a few more convictions a few days after the compilation of the list of 26 has it. For example on Bernardeschi: after a game like this it is difficult not to take him with you. Starting from the right, Mancini re-proposed a more useful “false nueve” around the twentieth with Kean hijacking the wing. The whole blue maneuver benefited. And for the Juventus player the goal that unlocked the game also arrived. The former viola was then moved to the left with Belotti entering the field. And it was precisely to the bomber of Toro Bernardeschi that he assisted for the fourth goal. Not enough, his also the assist for Pessina’s second goal.
Other positive notes: Ferrari’s goal at the debut. And then the double from Politano and Pessina. But beyond the goals Mancini has a certainty. That whoever is on the pitch, intensity and patterns are dogmas that always apply to everyone. A party, but now the fun comes because from Monday we go to Coverciano. And there are no swimming pools and no Sardinian sea there. Also because the Europeans are really upon us. Bonucci awarded by Gravina for one hundred appearances in the national team. Then national anthems, a minute of silence for the victims of the Mottarone tragedy and Burgnich. And off we go. Five hundred invited spectators at the Sardegna Arena.
And the game, with a very experimental national team and several players on the pitch at risk of cuts, is what he expects: San Marino compact behind with a 4-2-3-1 that becomes 4-5-1 in the retreat phase. And Italy trying to slip into the double barrier prepared by the technician Varrella, former assistant of Sacchi. Azzurri more focused on looking for patterns and understanding than on finding the way to the network. At 31 ‘Bernardeschi’s goal unleashes the deluge. Confirming Mancini’s theory that the Juventus player always does well in the national team. Intelligent space that Castrovilli finds him. Then Bernardeschi makes his with a shot from outside. Three minutes later the doubling arrives: it is marked by the rookie Ferrari, called in a rush by Mancini at the pre-retreat of Forte Village. It is a left touch on a short rejected by the opposing goalkeeper.
In the second half there is no more history: Politano and Pessina are unleashed, with a Bernardeschi running everywhere. For Politano two goals that put Mancini in difficulty. There is also glory for Belotti after a double triangle, always with Bernardeschi. At the end of a few minutes glory for Barella, for the first time in the national team in his Cagliari. (Handle).