Error-prone Italy held
Roberto Mancini believes that only confidence is needed to turn a mediocre Italy into a world class team again after Jorginho rescued a point for the new-look Azzurri in a 1-1 draw against Poland in their Nations League A Group 3 opener on Friday.
Jorginho's penalty 12 minutes from time made amends after the Chelsea midfielder's blunder had allowed former Napoli teammate Piotr Zielinski's opener for Poland just before the break in Bologna.
Mancini, was appointed after the four-time winners' shock failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
And after a timid start, key substitutions -- including promising Fiorentina forward Federico Chiesa -- allowed the former Manchester City manager to save face in his first competitive game in charge.
"I knew it was going to be difficult. They are a team that, at this moment, have more confidence than us," said Mancini. "In the first half we made some technical mistakes, but then in the second half the guys were very good."
"There are many young players we can build on and I think we saw that in the second half, as we pushed forward and more importantly didn't make as many errors in our passing."
BELGIUM HAMMER SCOTLAND
World Cup semifinalists Belgium capitalised on a series of Scotland mistakes with goals from Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard and a Michy Batshuayi double to thrash the hosts 4-0 in a friendly at Hampden on Friday.
Roberto Martinez's men showed their class and no hangover from their exertions in in Russia to warm-up for their Nations League opener against Iceland on Tuesday.
"We were very clinical in front of goal," said Martinez. "The players were well focused overall and for us it was a good excercise for Tuesday."
His counterpart, McLeish said: "It was just a catalogue of errors. If anybody's got to take the blame, it's me for telling them they have to pass it."
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