Roberto Mancini has joined Marcello Lippi and Cesare Prandelli in reaching third place on the list of most games leading the Azzurri team (56). Above them are Vittorio Pozzo and Enzo Bearzot, the two Head Coaches who won the side's first three World Cups. This year's will have to be watched by Mancini and his players as spectators; it's a wound that is still smarting just five days before the start of Qatar 2022. The win over Albania, though, has provided Mancini with some optimism for the future, as his side look comfortable after being asked to play in a different system than usual, 3-4-3: "The lads did really well," he said at the end of the game, "The first half especially, we created many chances. We also changed the formation a little and I thought it went well, I saw positive things." 

The Head Coach highlighted Vincenzo Grifo's performance (“he's an exceptional lad, he's the Italian with the most goals scored in the Bundesliga. He's got quality and today he scored two great goals”) and praised also Nicolò Zaniolo's willingness despte being a little off target in front of goal “He's come back in after a long time out, but he had a really positive evening.”

Man of the match for the Azzurri, Vincenzo Grifo scored his second brace for the First Team after grabbing his first in the friendly against Estonia two years ago in November 2020. It was an eventful evening for the Freiburg forward, who has already got nine goals this season and continued his great run of form, with two goals, one assist, hitting the crossbar and being part of many quality moves: “I'm happy, I want to thank my teammates for the trust they have put in me. Without these players, I wouldn't have scored tonight. The lads help and support me, and this gives a lot of confidence. Things are going really well in this period, I hope it'll continue. It's such a proud moment playing for this shirt.”

Six months after the goal against Feyenoord, Zaniolo returned to the stadium where he decided the Conference League Final: “Coming back has had a massive effect on me, it's been really special to relive those memories”. Nicolò fought for every ball, hitting the post and missing a couple of good chances: “A place in the Italy team needs to be earned every day with hard graft and sweat, because there are tons of children at home dreaming of this continually.We are so fortunate to be here, but we have to show that we deserve to be. Watching the World Cup from home will be very sickening, we need to do everything to get back to competing on the highest stages." 

If Italy only conceded one goal in the evening, it's mostly down to the hands of Alex Meret, who took advantage of his chance to show Mancini what he is capable of: “We gave a good performance, we really wanted to win it. Conceding the goal to go one down was a shame, it could have been avoided, but we did well to come back and get the win. We need to knuckle down and work towards our new objectives, we need to do our best in the coming games. Only with hard work will be build something important for the future."

Also not forgetting the latest three debutants under Mancini: Nicolò Fagioli, Andrea Pinamonti and Simone Pafundi. The Juventus midfielder, who has earned a starting berth in the last few games for the Bianconeri, also enjoyed this magical moment: "I'm very emotional, wearing this shirt is the dream of every child. I felt comfortable and at ease on the pitch, but at the end it dawned on me just what an achievement it is. I'm happy with what I've done with Juventus, but it's just a starting point." From one dream to another: "Let's hope we can reach the next World Cup and be in a position to try and win it."