The coach after the disaster against Macedonia: “Soon to talk about the future”. Tuesday on the pitch in Turkey
PALERMO. Gabriele Gravina remains. Roberto Mancini who knows. The World defeat of Italy leaves tears and a void – of explanations and prospects. Second time out of the Cup of the best, after Russia 2018 also Qatar 2022 will be followed by the Italians and the Azzurri as spectators, not as fans or protagonists. “My future? Now it’s too early to talk about it – says the coach who had awakened the blue pride -. I said that the European Championship won at Wembley was the greatest satisfaction, this is the biggest disappointment of my career, and I can’t think about the future. It is not the fault of President Gravina, it is not the fault of the boys: I am responsible ».
The FIGC president, before presenting himself at the press conference alongside the technical commissioner, had expressed the hope “that Mancini, once the disappointment is over, will continue to work on the project he has begun”. But the situation remains pending: just a few hours before the game then lost against North Macedonia, Mancini admitted that “the national team has not been so important for some time now”: this is confirmed by the failure to move the championship day, which has left to the blues only two days of full training before the semifinal.
Considerations that will make the coach reflect, in addition to the bitterness of the evening, and that open the curtain on any scenario, such as that of a turning point with Cannavaro on the bench and Lippi as a mentor who is already beginning to make space among the voices. As for the political storm on the horizon, “there is not the slightest opening for federal distrust,” says Gravina, rejecting any option to resign. «We have to reflect and change, and increase our energies: I put mine at the disposal of the system, I have to defend it. The national team, in the business logic of the clubs, is experienced as a nuisance: I have to stay here and protect it ».
Explaining the Palermo evening, however, is difficult for everyone. «We were lucky in the European Championship, and we deserved to win it: what we took eight months ago, we returned with interest tonight – Mancini’s words – What analysis do we want to do, after an evening like this? We shot forty times and scored a goal in the 92nd minute after so many occasions. I love these guys, even more tonight. They are strong players for the future ».
Jorghinho can not rest easy, admitting that “I will always remember those two missed penalties against Switzerland, and it will always hurt.” Verratti criticizes himself: «Matches like tonight’s have to be won, and if you don’t, you have to ask yourself questions. It’s true, we had bad luck, but luck must be sought and found ». Now, the national team returns to Coverciano. Final mockery, he will have to go to Konya to play the consolation final against Turkey, on Tuesday 29, while Portugal and North Macedonia play for the place in Qatar. (HANDLE).