Training session mainly focused on 3-4-3 tactical tests carried out this morning in Coverciano by the national team, which will be engaged tomorrow (8.45 pm) in a friendly match against Albania . The blue coach Roberto Mancini initially divided the elements of the squad at his disposal into groups, trying alternately two teams arranged with a 3-4-3.

The first in particular could be the one that will be deployed from 1' in Tirana against the formation led by the former coach (among others) of Cagliari, Naples and Atalanta Edy Reja, and which saw Donnarumma in goal, defense with Scalvini, Bonucci and Bastoni, on the outside in midfield Di Lorenzo on the right and Dimarco on the left, the couple Tonali and Verratti as central players, and in attack the trident formed by Zaniolo, Raspadori and Grifo. After Albania, Italy will face Austria on Sunday. In the afternoon, the Azzurri left for Tirana and, upon arrival in Albania, coach Roberto Mancini spoke : "Even if they are two friendlies, these are two important matches for us, to try out some new, young players, we will evaluate those players that we still don't know very well." Forced to act as a spectator in Qatar, Italy will close its 2022 with tests against Albania, tomorrow, and Austria, on Sunday. Two matches that will offer coach Roberto Mancini the chance to expand the group also in view of March, when the qualifiers for the European Championships will start. Macedonia and England are also in the Azzurri's group: "That's fate - comments the coach -. The one against Macedonia was an absurd match, which I think happens once every 100 years and unfortunately it happened to us. It's quite a group tough but there aren't any easy groups, we'll have England straight away and then we'll see, but we'll have to fight". Meanwhile Mancini is preparing to cross the finish line of 56 benches in blue, equaling Lippi and Prandelli: Vittorio Pozzo (95) and Enzo Bearzot (88) remain ahead. "I'm pleased to join Marcello, who was a great coach, and Cesare. We hope to do more even if it's quite a long time to get to those two."

Then Gabriele Oriali, Italy's team manager, intervened: "The World Cup starts in a few days and the closer you get, the more something inside gnaws , and until they finish, I won't get over it. The hope is that over time there will be still the possibility of celebrating some important victories like it was a year and a half ago with the European Championships".

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