Mancini warns Everest is easier if Italy stays the same

After the harsh defeat against Belgium in the Nations League, Roberto Mancini answered a question from Xavier Jacobelli for Tuttosport, stating: “The whistles at the Olimpico? It will be nicer when we reach the top of Everest.” The coach then explained the reason for the whistles and looked for glimmers of hope in the second half.

Mancini's words on the defeat

Mancini explained that the whistles come because, when a team loses, the fans get angry. However, he emphasized that not everything is negative, citing the twenty‑five minutes of the second half as a sign of improvement.

Jacobelli notes that Italy was hit hard by a Belgium side that seemed to be in training. The result was the Belgians' first official Nations League match, but it struck the Azzurri hard.

Napoli's De Bruyne far from the version seen against Italy

The coach's selections were questioned: the starting lineup included Gianluigi Donnarumma, Alessandro Mancini, Riccardo Calafiori, Sandro Tonali, Nicolò Barella and Moise Kean. In the second half, Alessandro Esposito and Niccolò Frattesi came on, bringing the total to eight starters.

Jacobelli wonders why the block that was set up from the first minute against Belgium, anchored in Dzeko's house, was repeated. The psychological weight of the third consecutive missed World Cup qualification has been a ballast for everyone, drowned under the attacks of Gots, Lukebakio, De Bruyne, De Ketelaere, Tielemans and Moreira.

Mancini's second start in Italy overshadowed by whistles

The journalist recalls the June Italy under interim Silvio Baldini, where courage and spirit had sparked hope. Today, described as “bolsa e abborracciata”, the team appears destined to fail.