Zaniolo false nine.
Indeed, Church.
Sometimes Insigne.
The whirlwind of positions at the center of Italy's attack in the last half hour of the match in Switzerland tells more clearly than any number the real difficulty of post-European Italy: the scoring pain.
"We play well but the ball does not enter: let those who say that the spell is over, we believe in this Italy, you don't ..", says Jorginho the day after the 0-0 in Basel.
The mistake from the spot, with that too soft shot saved by Sommer, "hurts", confesses the Italian-Brazilian, "because it came at an important moment and could unlock the game we deserved to win". So instead, given the absolute need to take the first post-European success against Lithuania, Roberto Mancini must begin to use the world abacus to calculate the chances and risks of the world qualification, and avoid the playoff. In his group, C, Italy is first at 11 points, 4 more than Switzerland which, however, has two fewer matches: they are those against Bulgaria, in which the Azzurri have collected 4 points. If the Swiss win all their matches, Italy will have todo the same and beat Switzerland at the Olimpico on 12 November.
But there is the unknown factor of the trip to Northern Ireland in Belfast, which Mancini's opponents will face on Wednesday and the Azzurri in the last round, on November 15th.
"You will see, let's beat Switzerland and pass", assured the coach yesterday, in reality visibly disappointed by the difficulty of his national team to score goals. Throughout the first half, Mancini talked with a building in difficulty, trying to explain to him how to take advantage of the slowness of the two central defensive sides of Switzerland. But it is not only the double version of the Lazio center forward - prolific with the club, dry in blue - to explain the scoring ache: after all, the most tempting opportunity was wasted by Berardi, in addition to Jorginho. For Lithuania, in any case, there is a risk that the coach will have to ask the top scorer of the championship for a little overtime. The changes are scheduled, "because the boys are tired" after two games at the beginning of the season, and at home they are alreadyVerratti (for him there will still be Locatelli) and Pellegrini are back. But in attack, apart from Raspadori and Kean, the exchanges are few, to find the missing goal against Lithuania. "Football is like this: we play well, the ball does not enter, but there is no answer - says Jorginho - At this moment we must not throw ourselves down, but remain lucid and believe in ourselves: you certainly don't. you will do in our place ... ". Now there is the last one in September, Wednesday in Reggio Emilia against Lithuania, to rekindle that European magic.an answer - says Jorginho - At this moment we must not throw ourselves down, but remain lucid and believe in ourselves: you certainly won't do it for us ... ". Now there is the last one in September, Wednesday in Reggio. Emilia against Lithuania, to rekindle that European magic.an answer - says Jorginho - At this moment we must not throw ourselves down, but remain lucid and believe in ourselves: you certainly won't do it for us ... ". Now there is the last one in September, Wednesday in Reggio. Emilia against Lithuania, to rekindle that European magic.