Mancini says Italy are beginning to “behave like a real team”

“We are beginning to behave like a real team,” Roberto Mancini said after Italy drew 1-1 with France in Saint-Denis in their third Nations League match. The Italy coach said he was satisfied with the result and felt his side were improving.

Mancini highlighted his players’ response to France’s attacking impetus, which forced them to defend. He was nevertheless pleased with how they reacted and found their way back into the match. “They had more possession, but we had good chances. They made us defend, but we pressed well, and that is how we got the draw,” he said, adding that Italy could even have won.

To explain his assessment, the coach pointed to the team’s recent progress. Italy had shown good things in the second half against Belgium, he said, after which the side had struggled with the tension of recent months before improving against Turkey and carrying that momentum into the match with France. Italy had opened the competition with a 0-2 defeat to Belgium, then beaten Turkey 4-1.

“The overall record from these three matches is positive. We did not start well, but we are progressing,” Mancini stressed. He believes the team’s improvement is now reflected in a stronger collective approach.