Now, it’s 27. In the stadium, in which he made his Serie A debut, Roberto Mancini recorded his eight win on the bounce and extended Italy’s unbeaten run to 27. This brings him within three games of the record set by Vittorio Pozzo but, with one week until the Euros kick off, what counts most is having seen Italy shine. “The Czech Republic are a great team but we played really well,” said the Italy head coach, dedicating the win to his friend Enzo, who lost his parents to Covid. “It’s a good sign ahead of the start of the Euros. We’re a young team that needs to improve in many aspects. Playing like that in our last friendly is a good thing.”

Lorenzo Insigne couldn’t have celebrated his 30th birthday in a better way than that. The Napoli forward showed, once again, that he has plenty of class. He scored and provided an assist. “Whether I feel like a leader? No, I’m just older,” he confessed with a wry smile. “I’m happy with the performance. We have a week to go until the Euros and we need to be ready.” The Azzurri’s number 10 is full of confidence: “The Coach has formed a great group. He has got us all in the best condition to express ourselves and gave fun. Matchday 1 at the Olimpico? It’ll be really emotional to play in front of a crowd, even if it’s only 16,000 people.”

Domenico Berardi tonight scored his fourth Italy goal and is well in contention for a starting berth next week: “I always try to give my all. I’m happy because I played well, but I can always improve - both in training and in games. Whether it’s me starting against Turkey or Chiesa or Bernardeschi, it’s all the same. We’re all good players; whoever plays will give 100%.”

 

Giacomo Raspadori has had a whirlwind week, beginning with his first call-up to the Italy squad to the disappointment of defeat in the Under-21 Euro quarter-finals, right up to being named in the team for the Euros and making his full international debut in the city of his birth. “It’s a crazy emotion, I have no words. All of the moments of my short career flashed before me - the good moments and the bad. Making my debut with my family in the ground was indescribable.” Roberto Mancini showered him with praise at his press conference yesterday, wishing him the same satisfaction as a certain Paolo Rossi. “I still can’t believe I’m going to the Euros. I want to thank the Coach for this chance. I’m a different player to Immobile and Belotti. I’m lucky to have them as my teammates. I’ve always admired them and I hope to learn from them.”