Mancini Again Enter Balotelli Into the Italian National Team Squad
New national team coach Roberto Mancini on Saturday called back striker Mario Balotelli with Gli Azzurri for three friendly matches to come.
Mancini was appointed last Monday (6/6/2018), six months after Gian Piero Ventura was sacked following the failure of four world champions to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1958. The 53-year-old man announced his first 30 squad players for the game against Saudi Arabia, France and the Netherlands.
Mancini will play his first match against Arabia in St Gallen, Switzerland on May 28. As reported by Thenews.com.pk, 27-year-old Balotelli was included for the first time after nearly four years absence from the national team.
Noted, Balotelli has scored 13 goals in 33 appearances for the Gli Azzur during the final of an embarrassing group stage of Italy in the 2014 World Cup Brazil.
1. Memories while defending Manchester City together
Mancini has worked with Balotelli for three years in charge at Manchester City, has produced some of his best performances as a striker. Earlier, Italian manager Antonio Conte and Giampiero Ventura have opted not to use Balotelli in the last four years. But Mancini is eager to work with the controversial striker once more.
Balotelli, expected to join Marseille this summer after enjoying an impressive season with Nice, ended the season by scoring 18 goals.
RELATED POST: Real Madrid Claimed Messi from Barcelona
2. Mancini's squad without goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon
Meanwhile in position Mancini goalkeeper did not include goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. Because he insists will not play again for the national team. Buffon, who holds the record for the most national team, has recorded 176 caps for Italy. This is a strong reason for Mancini to regenerate into a younger generation.
In his absence, Mancini puts Salvatore Sirigu back, who has had a successful season since joining Torino, and AC Milan's youth players Gianluigi Donnarumma and Genoa Mattia Perin.
3. The absence of a veteran midfielder
Among the veterans there is no call for Roma captain Daniele De Rossi, with Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini sidelined with injury.
As for AC Milan central defender Leonardo Bonucci entrusted as captain. Five players have been given the first call - Chelsea left back Emerson Palmieri, Torino midfielder Daniele Baselli, Crotone midfielder Rolando Mandragora, striker Sassuolo Domenico Berardi and Atalanta defender Mattia Caldara.
Along with defenders Alessio Romagnoli and Daniele Rugani, midfielders Lorenzo Pellegrini and striker Federico Chiesa, and Federico Bernardeschi are promising youngsters and are expected to bring Italy back on the road to victory.
The Italian national team squad will meet for the first time at a training session at Coverciano near Florence on May 23.
0 Response to "Mancini Again Enter Balotelli Into the Italian National Team Squad"
Post a Comment