Roberto Mancini, selector of Italy, he assured this Thursday that the Spanish team, his rival in the semifinals of the Nations League next October in MilanIt is a team that plays “more vertically compared to the past”, but that at the same time maintains its high technical value.
“Spain changed several players, they stayed with some expert players, such as Bouquets, and he managed to put together a very strong team, more vertical compared to the past, but which is still very technical ”, he highlighted.
“His game is similar to that of the past, although with faster wingers that make the game unpredictable. I think it will be a very good game, “he said. Mancini at a press conference offered by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) at the end of the draw for the final phase of the Nations League.
Italy and Spain They will meet on October 6, 2021 in Milan and will fight for a place in the final on October 10, which will be the winner of the other semifinal cross, Belgium-France in Turin.
Mancini considered that Italy and Spain are the European teams that changed the most in the last two years and that the final phase of the League of Nations will measure the elite of European football.
“They will be good finals, the best four teams in Europe will meet,” said the Italian coach.
Since his arrival, after the failure of the management of Giampiero VenturaMancini worked to restore a winning mentality and maximum ambitions to his team: “We have to win every game in the World Cup qualifications, then win the European Championship and then win the Nations League.”
“It was difficult at the beginning, because the situation was particular. It was the first time that we did not qualify for a World Cup. Everyone was sad, it was necessary to change course. We created a young group with some elements of experience. We wanted to speed up the times, ”he assured, when reviewing the work he has been doing with Italy.
He also expressed the hope that the conditions will soon be in place for there to be public in the stadiums.
“I hope that the fans can return to the stadiums already from March or at the European Championship. Sport without spectators is different. I hope they can come back. It will be a good show. And before we have three games in Rome in the Eurocup”, He stressed.
He also gave, when asked, his opinion on Sergio Ramos, a pillar of the Spanish team and Real Madrid, with whom he ends his contract, whom he considers the best player of the Madrid club.
“I am not the president of Madrid, but I think that Ramos has been one of the best defenders in the world for years, he is very strong, very technical, he has excellent technique, I think he is the best player in Madrid,” he said.