Former Milan goalkeeper Simone Braglia believes Inter are partially responsible for the Italian national team’s current struggles, blaming the Nerazzurri for not giving enough Italian players a look-in.
Roberto Mancini’s side saw their winless run extended to five matches on Wednesday when the Azzurri were held to a 1-1 draw by Ukraine, a match in which Roberto Gagliardini was an unused substitute.
Inter fielded 11 overseas players in their 2-1 win over SPAL last Sunday but have been using four Italians – Danilo D’Ambrosio, Roberto Gagliardini, Matteo Politano and Antonio Candreva – on a regular basis this season.
“Italy just don’t have the players at the moment,” Braglia told RMC Sport.
“Italy needs Italian players – I wouldn’t want to be Mancini trying to put together a squad for the next European championships.
“If the Italian players aren’t playing in Serie A then everything becomes that much harder: if Inter are playing with 11 foreigners then it’s very difficult for Mancini to find the talent he needs.”