Roberto Mancini insists ‘nobody’ has won a penny in Italy since 2018. ‘We did it without Totti, Del Piero, Baggio, or Riva.’
The Azzurri continue their League of Nations campaign this evening with a trip to Vincenzo Montella’s Turkiye.
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Ataturk Spor Kompleski Matli Stadium in Bursa at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST).
Mancini is already facing criticism and calls for removal after he missed one game in charge, a 2-0 home defeat in Belgium, returning to the bench after three years away.
Italy’s Mancini insists they don’t need star names
A training session in Italy coach Roberto Mancini seen in September 2026 (figc.it)
“I don’t read blogs and I don’t search on social media,” he told RAI Radio.
“It is true that nobody promises us a penny in 2018, then we won the European Championship in 2021.” Despite the fact that they do not have phenomenal players in the squad.
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“We did it without Totti, Del Piero, Baggio, or Riva. You can only play as a team to win.”
BERLIN – JULY 09: Italian players and coaching staff celebrate their victory on penalties at the end of the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 final match between Italy and France at the Olympic Stadium on July 9, 2006 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images)
Francesco Totti and Alessandro Del Piero were part of the Italy side that won the 2006 World Cup, legends like Roberto Baggio took the Nazionale to the 1994 Cup final.
Gigi Riva won the 1968 European Championship, which until 2021 was the only time Italy managed to lift that trophy.
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Mancini’s Italy won the Euro 2020 trophy by beating England on penalties in the Final at Wembley Stadium with this line up.
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 11: Leonardo Bonucci of Italy celebrates with The Henri Delaunay Trophy after his team’s victory in the UEFA Euro 2020 Sponsorship Final between Italy and England at Wembley Stadium on July 11, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Italy: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Emerson (Florenzi 118); Barella (Critante 54), Jorginho, Verratti (Locatelli 96); Chiesa (Bernardeschi 85), Immobile (Berardi 54), Insigne (Belotti 91)