Gianluca Mancini underscored the Italian national team`s resolve as they prepare for their critical World Cup qualifier against Israel. The defender insisted that the Azzurri must approach every single match as if it were a final in their pursuit of a playoff berth.
During the pre-match press conference, the Roma player conveyed that the squad is fully cognizant of the impending challenge and must maintain unwavering focus on their collective progress under the guidance of coach Gennaro Gattuso.
“Yes, for us, every game must be like a final,” Mancini affirmed. “When you wear this shirt, that sentiment intensifies. It’s a significant match against a formidable opponent – we witnessed their strength in our previous encounter, and we know exactly what to anticipate.”
Italy Star Mancini Highlights Solomon Threat
When questioned about Italy`s readiness for the playoffs, Mancini issued a warning against looking too far ahead. “Until mathematics definitively rules us out, we cannot engage in such discussions,” he noted.
“I don`t perceive myself as superior to anyone – every single match demands a fierce fight and maximum effort. We cannot afford to think excessively about the future; our focus must remain squarely on ourselves and the progress we are making with the coach, taking it one step at a time, to construct something truly significant.”
The defender also drew attention to Israel`s offensive capabilities, recalling his previous encounters with one of their key players.
“I am most familiar with Solomon,” he added. “I played against him during his time at Shakhtar. In the first leg, we observed that they are a well-organized team possessing genuine attacking quality, so we will need to be vigilant to effectively contain them.”
