Paolo Di Canio analyzed the draw between France and Italy on Sky Sport microphones, with particular attention to the performance of Alessandro Bastoni, scorer of the Azzurri goal. The former footballer painted a picture of the National Team starting from the last two outings.

“Setting aside all the moments that have occurred, I take a snapshot of two parts of two matches: the first half in Turkey with a team within our reach where we dominated, and the first half with France where you have to accept the opponents’ possession and their greater quality,” he explained. According to Di Canio, this represents the perfect mix to make the team competitive again.

Regarding coach Roberto Mancini, the former striker acknowledged that the criticism affected him. “At the beginning, he went overboard with his statements but he’s intelligent, he knows that if the results don’t come, he’ll pay double. But he wants to create something that we’ve seen in the past: in these two matches we saw the idea of a team that brings the fans closer again. The players are honoring the Azzurri shirt to the fullest.”

Regarding Federico Dimarco, Di Canio expressed some reservations about his use as a fourth defender. “I don’t see Dimarco as a basic fourth: he’s got the legs, but he’s starting to get older and often when he pushes hard he risks getting injured. It’s not easy to put him there and get him to perform as he does at Inter: this doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be there, but Mancini has to find solutions,” he stated, emphasizing how the switch from fifth to fourth involves different mechanisms and movements compared to the role he plays in the Nerazzurri.

The most heartfelt praise went to Bastoni. “I liked Bastoni’s somewhat cocky press conference, so much so that against France he backed it up: he has nothing to do with the position for the goal, there should be a midfielder there. Instead, he arrives aggressively and then scores: clear-headed, attentive, and I like cocky players who back it up,” said Di Canio. “There are two possibilities: either you act cocky and you’re an idiot, or you’re cocky and I like you because you back it up. He’s backing it up.”

The former footballer concluded by urging not to dwell on the mistake against Bosnia. “It should weigh on you but with personality you let it slide off and it’s something that gives you motivation. It helps a rediscovered coach who has credibility.”

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