Former Italy coach Roberto Mancini, in the second part of his interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, described the Azzurri`s failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup as `terrible bad luck`. He also stated that Simone Pafundi`s minimal game time in Serie A remains `one of football`s greatest mysteries`.
Mancini, previously the head coach of the Italian national team (CT), admitted he would welcome a return to Coverciano to take over from Luciano Spalletti. However, his conversation with Gazzetta also covered his time leading the Azzurri and his opinions on certain Italian footballers.
The current climate surrounding the Azzurri is extremely negative, especially after the team`s 3-0 loss to Norway in their 2026 World Cup Qualifiers opener, a result that reportedly led to Spalletti’s dismissal. Pessimism is high among fans and media concerning Italy`s prospects for qualifying for the next World Cup in the USA.
“Negative news is the easiest thing for people to focus on,” Mancini stated. “It garners more attention and generates discussion; that`s why it makes headlines.”
As Italy coach, the 60-year-old led the team to victory in Euro 2020 but subsequently failed to secure qualification for the 2022 World Cup.
Mancini on Euro 2020 and 2022 World Cup
“Winning Euro 2020 was a unique achievement, particularly given the challenging circumstances,” he commented. “In football, a certain amount of luck is necessary; even players like Messi and Ronaldo haven`t won major titles without it.”
“Had Dibu Martinez not produced that crucial save against Kolo Muani in the 120th minute, Argentina might have lost the World Cup, which they ultimately won via penalties. Conversely, sometimes teams face terrible misfortune, as we did when failing to qualify for the World Cup.”
“We topped our qualification group but were knocked out after missing two penalties and losing to North Macedonia, despite outshooting them 27 to 1. That match should realistically have finished 4-1 or 5-1 in our favour, just as the game in Basel should have been a 3-0 victory. Football can be unpredictable; it grants success sometimes and denies it others. We benefited from some luck in winning the Euros but suffered significantly from bad luck in failing to reach the World Cup.”
Mancini and ‘one of football’s greatest mysteries’
Mancini frequently included promising Udinese player Pafundi in the national squad and gave him his senior international debut in 2022.
Mancini remarked, “To me, his situation is one of football`s greatest mysteries. I cannot comprehend why he isn`t getting playing time in Serie A.”
“I`ve observed him closely on multiple occasions,” he added, “but the same applies to other young talents. How can they develop if they aren`t given opportunities on the pitch?”
“A young player requires game time, periods on the bench, and more game time,” Mancini explained. “However, the crucial element is allowing them to make errors as part of their learning process.”
Pafundi returned to Udinese in the January transfer window following a year on loan at Lausanne-Sport. The 19-year-old has accumulated 19 appearances in Serie A.
Mancini also highlighted other young Italian players who have impressed him.
“I previously mentioned Fazzini, and he has since played a bit more,” Mancini concluded. “I am also very impressed with Liberali, and I believe Lucca has the potential to develop into an excellent striker.”
