Former AC Milan defender Alessandro Costacurta discussed the Italian national team, coach Roberto Mancini and Inter midfielder Nicolo Barella in an interview in today’s paper edition of the Rome based newspaper Repubblica.
“I compliment the Deputy Federal Commissioner for appointing Mancini as the national coach. A shame for Antonio Conte and Carlo Ancelotti, but Roberto was the ideal candidate. He’s a great coach, he’s even become nice.”
The 53-year-old Italian discussed his final tournament with the Azzurri, the 1998 World Cup, and how far the team has come since then.
“The team was a bit unexpressed, exhausted by the season. We went out on penalties against France, who ended up being the champions. I showed Mancini the video of the first leg of the play-off for the World Cup in Russia.”
Costacurta spoke further about the fatal 1-0 loss against Sweden in the first leg of the play-off to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
“Belotti and Immobile always in our half, an invitation to attack us. I said to Roberto, I want a team to attack in the other half. His answer? If you called me, that’s why. Now the national team is enlightening, it transmits energy, it’s creative. And the talents who give their best: Verratti, Barella, Chiesa, Insigne, Bernardeschi. I have faith for the European championships.”
Inter midfielder Nicolo Barella, who is contracted to the club until 2024, made his Italy debut under Mancini in October of 2018, in a friendly against Ukraine. Since then, the 22-year-old has made 12 appearances for the Azzurri. In that time, he has scored three goals and provided two assists, all but guaranteeing that he will be brought to this summer’s European Championships. Barella has scored three goals and provided five assists in 22 appearances across all competitions for the Nerazzurri this season.