Chiude il 2018 da Ct dell'Italia, il premio migliore per chi, anche da allenatore, si è confermato per anni nel grande calcio. Ripartire dal fondo, destinazione Paradiso. Questa la missione di Roberto Mancini, che ha preso in mano una Nazionale ancora ferita dalla mancata qualificazione al Mondiale e che adesso ha il compito di riportarla laddove la storia impone:"Sedersi su questa panchina era un sogno che si è realizzato - ha raccontato in esclusiva al Corriere dello Sport - sono contento, penso di aver costruito una Nazionale speciale e divertente, sulle tracce di quella delle notti magiche del 1990. Sto lavorando pensando al futuro. Guardo i giovani, li studio, li preparo e li faccio giocare".
Italy's coach Roberto Mancini has given an interview to Il Corriere dello Sport where he's talked about his team. About Bonucci and Chiellini: "They're my Cristiano Ronaldo's, Giorgio is impressive". About Immobile: "It's not true I have problems with him. He's the best Italian striker, but the national team is not like a club. There are nine games a year here and you have to make the best out of every single one of them. We're scoring a few goals and have to improve". Someone that could help in that department is Quagliarella, who's having an incredible start of the season: "In march the European qualifications will begin: if we still have troubles to score one or two goals a game, I'll call him. But Fabio has to know he won't have a long future in Azzurro".
Mancini wants to give room to the youngsters. Starting from Donnarumma, the new Buffon: "We need to stay calm though - Gigi is one of a kind in football history like Zoff. Gigio hasn't done bad in any game with me though. I'm expecting Meret, evaluating Cragno and keep Perin". Balotelli? "I've done what I could and always hope something positive would happen. In the last few months he's not given a lot. He'll only return if he deserves it".
About the future, there's also Moise Kean's name as he becomes more decisive with the U21 team: "He's ready to explode. Him like Balotelli? I've made Mario start at 17 at Inter and he scored decisive goals. Kean could hardly have that experience".
