Roberto Donadoni has played down Roberto Mancini’s comments about a lack of opportunities for Italian youngsters. “It’s just him role-playing.”
“Mancini saying there are only a few Italians getting game time is just him role-playing,” he told Tutti Convocati.
“I’ve been a Coach and CT, and it’s normal that if someone is a CT they want more Italians to play, and if someone is a Coach they play who they deem most appropriate.
“As a club Coach, I have to play who performs best. Young players? If they make mistakes then they’re targeted. Many Italian players haven’t played in European competitions.
“That creates a gap for the national team in mental and psychological aspects because technically we don’t have to envy anyone.
The former Bologna boss was then asked about how Carlo Ancelotti would fare as Maurizio Sarri’s Napoli successor.
“De Laurentiis made a great choice with Ancelotti, but he finds himself in a situation where it's hard to do better [than Sarri],” he added.
“Carlo has everything to take Napoli forward, but it’s not easy.”