Under the lights of Saint-Denis, Italy left the Stade de France with a 1-1 draw against France and a sense that Roberto Mancini’s side are beginning to find their footing in the Nations League.
A point that fits Italy’s upward curve
Mancini described the result in France as a positive step after an uneven opening to Italy’s Nations League campaign. Italy began with a 2-0 defeat to Belgium, responded by winning 4-1 away to Turkey, and then held France in their third match.
- Belgium 2-0 Italy: a difficult opening result.
- Turkey 1-4 Italy: a convincing recovery.
- France 1-1 Italy: a draw secured at the Stade de France.
The Italy coach said his team had already shown encouraging signs in the second half against Belgium, although he felt the players had carried some tension from recent months during the first period of that match. He saw further improvement in Turkey and believes the performance in Saint-Denis continued that development.
Mancini sees a team taking shape
For Mancini, the three-match sequence offers more than the standings alone. He said Italy had not started the competition well, but now looked increasingly like a united side.
“The overall picture from these three games is positive,” Mancini said. “We did not begin well, but we are improving and starting to behave like a real team.”
France controlled more of the ball in front of their home support, forcing Italy into long spells of defensive work. Yet Mancini was pleased with his players’ response under pressure and felt the visitors created chances substantial enough to have taken all three points.
Defensive work brings reward in Saint-Denis
Mancini accepted that France’s energy pushed Italy back, but he credited the side’s pressing and organisation for protecting the draw.
- France had the greater share of possession.
- Italy were required to defend for extended periods.
- Mancini believed Italy also produced strong scoring opportunities.
- He said the team’s pressing helped deliver the 1-1 result.
“We could even have won,” he said. “They had more possession, but we had good chances. They made us defend, but we pressed well and that helped us earn the draw.”
