It was no secret that Italy’s first two competitive games under new boss Roberto Mancini would be somewhat of an experiment. The Azzurri Coach had called up a wealth of new faces, determined to part with an over-reliance of the old guard that had seen predecessor Giampiero Ventura fail so spectacularly.
The new UEFA Nations League provides a little more excitement to an international break that normally consists purely of friendlies, however September is a month in which players – many of whom have only played two or three matches at club level – are still a little sluggish. That was the accusation directed towards striker Mario Balotelli in Italy’s first match with Poland, and Mancini’s men would have succumbed to defeat if it wasn’t for one of their young stars.
Federico Chiesa has been billed as the future of the Italian national team, the talented 20-year-old Fiorentina winger already having shown much promise. He received his first cap for the Azzurri in Manchester back in March in a friendly with Argentina, and since then his reputation at international level has been steadily growing.
Indeed, as his side were 1-0 down to Poland at Bologna’s Stadio Dall’Ara, Chiesa was introduced by Mancini in the 70th minute, replacing Napoli’s Lorenzo Insigne. His impact was immediate, as he forced a save from Poland goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, his shot deflected by former Torino centre-back Kamil Glik.
Poland clearly couldn’t cope with the injection of speed that Chiesa added, Kuba Blaszczykowski bringing him down to hand their opponents a penalty and a final scoreline of 1-1. “Chiesa did well once he came on because he has characteristics that the others do not,” Mancini told reporters after the match, adding that the youngster would definitely start in their next match versus Portugal. “He had that change of pace to turn the play around. He is young, but he will gradually improve.”
The direct threat that Italy lack. 🇮🇹
The Italian sports papers featured pictures of the Fiorentina winger on their front pages in that famous blue kit over the next few days, building him up to be the saviour of a side that is only just beginning to emerge from a major crisis. Yet while his raw talent is undeniable, Monday night’s match with Portugal proved that both Federico Chiesa and Italy still have a long way to go.
Viewers of a 1-0 defeat to a Cristiano Ronaldo-less Portugal saw an Italy side lacking in ideas, a credible system and a midfield as Mancini tested out ideas that very clearly weren’t going to work. If it wasn’t for some superb saves from Gianluigi Donnarumma and a talented backline, the scoreline could have been even higher, and the Azzurri wouldn’t have scored if they had played for a week.
Simone Zaza and Ciro Immobile were played together up front with one acting as a winger, adding to an incredibly disjointed and chaotic approach to the game. Chiesa showed his speed and invention as expected, however frustration over a lack of goals brought forth his tendency to shoot rather than cross the ball to a team-mate.
“He was unable to repeat the brilliant contribution he made to the game against Poland,” 1982 World Cup winner Paolo Rossi concluded to FirenzeViola.it. “It’s also fair to say he wasn’t used in his best position and frankly it wasn’t clear whether he was meant to defend or attack. Maybe even both. Chiesa finished the match in Lisbon exhausted, but without ever being that incisive. He did all he could in the circumstances.”
If the last two matches are to be used as a learning experience, it’s fair to say that there is a lot more work for Mancini to do than was first expected. Italy have talent, but they face a very long road back to prominence.
Federico Chiesa is set to be a big part of their future, but the Coach must take care that he does not squash all the enthusiasm out of his young star while the rebuild takes place.
