To be honest, listening to the press conference it seems to have been massively misrepresented by Sky. Mancini was asked by an Irish reporter if the game against Wales would remind him of playing against Stoke. Mancini replied by saying that we had really good technical players as well as just being physical. It's a lazy comparison for sure, which seemed an odd one for him to be making, so it's less surprising that it's coming from a journo for the Daily Express rather than someone like Mancini. 12 minutes 33 seconds in
Wouldn't be surprised if Italy went something like this, fully second string on the basis of that press conference. A lot of talk about how it's very much a 26 man squad, how 'everyone's a starter' and Andrea Belotti was with him at the press conference which suggests he'll play. He gave examples of his four back up defenders starting in a clean sheet against Poland and Lewandowski, and how they started the nations like with Belotti and Bernadeschi. Sirigu Di Lorenzo - Acerbi - Toloi/Bastoni - Emerson Cristante - Verratti - Pessina Chiesa - Belotti - Bernadeschi It's still a strong side, they've got areas of the side that won't be any weaker for them playing the second string. They'll also make use of their five subs for sure as well. Chiesa for example I don't think is any weaker than Berardi, but on the whole it definitely gives us a better chance of getting second place.
That second XI would give plenty of teams a good game, some real quality in there which could make a difference in the later stages.
Ward Ampadu - Rodon - Gunter C. Roberts - Allen - Morrell - N. Williams Bale - Ramsey - James Fine with the change in formation, personally would have definitely kept the same centre-back pairing that did well against Turkey and kept the momentum going and put Ampadu in midfield. Ampadu is a better player than Mepham though, so not too concerned about that. Really disagree with leaving out Ben Davies today. Chris Gunter's never let us down, and did well against France, but I don't want us to be complacent today and I don't want something like a yellow card to completely throw off what we'd have otherwise done. I think you've got to have far more faith in Ben Davies to keep his composure, and make use of the five subs to minimise the risk if we can afford to in the later stages. I'll stay positive though, hopefully the selections right but it hasn't helped the nerves when we've not put the very strongest side available to us.
Italy make 8 changes. Not a million miles what I thought, but Donnarumma, Bonucci and Jorginho stay in there.
Probably the best time to play Italy with so many changes by Italy. No doubt quality comes in but got to look for small positives to take. Would be chuffed with a draw in all honesty. Will celebrate like the Scots did a few days ago if we avoid defeat.
Are the Italian players that didn't take the knee racist then? Not sure how it works. Come on Wales! Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk
Turkey going home without a point as things stand. Not the dark horse some expected before the tournament.
