Mancini compares Italy's defeat to a climb of Mount Everest
Roberto Mancini said that Italy, after a home defeat to Belgium, must climb Mount Everest to get back to the top, while the Azzurri were booed by the fans and labelled as incoherent by the press. The contrast between the ambitious metaphor and the chaotic match forms the core of the current crisis.
Loss and immediate reactions
Italy lost at home to Belgium, after which the home fans voiced their displeasure loudly. After the match the Italian side was booed and Mancini, who was head coach between 2018 and 2023 and won the 2021 Euro title, showed understanding for the jeering. A goal from Mika Godts handed Mancini a defeat for the national team.
Mancini responded at the press conference with the words: “We have to climb Mount Everest and it will be wonderful if we reach the summit.” He continued: “If you lose, you can sometimes be booed. However, it was not all doom and gloom, as shown by the first 25 minutes of the second half. Then we played aggressively, won second balls and did not create chances against us.”
Mancini pushes for Italian nationality for Nicolò Tresoldi
Media and expert criticism
Italian media were not very enthusiastic. One outlet called the play “worse and uglier” than under Gennaro Gattuso and described the team as incoherent and scattered. Corriere dello Sport spoke of a “nervous, scared and paralyzed” eleven that still feels the aftermath of the missed World Cup.
Giuseppe Bergomi, club icon of Inter, expected more innovation. He pointed to the creative playing styles of clubs such as Inter, AS Roma and Como, which he said were completely absent from the national side. “We played in an outdated manner. Serie A offers so many interesting playing styles; we enjoy watching those matches, because every team has its own approach. This Italian eleven showed nothing of what we see in the league,” Bergomi said.
Mika Godts' goal reveals the talent void in Italy
Fabio Capello, although critical, saw a few bright spots. He praised the effort of debutant Mohamed Ali Zoma, the striker of FC Nürnberg, who tried to make a difference aggressively on the left. Daniel Maldini also received praise for his challenges against opponents.