Former Italy and Saudi Arabia head coach Roberto Mancini
In the second part of his interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, ex-Italy coach Roberto Mancini said the Azzurri had had ‘terrible bad luck’ in missing out on the 2022 World Cup and insisted that Simone Pafundi’s lack of playing time in Serie A is ‘one of football’s greatest mysteries.’
Former Italy CT Mancini admitted he’d love to return to Coverciano to replace Luciano Spalletti, but his interview with Gazzetta included more of his thoughts about his spell as the Azzurri boss and his view on some Italian players.
Currently, the environment around the Azzurri is beyond negative as the team lost 3-0 to Norway in their 2026 World Cup Qualifiers debut, leading to Spalletti’s dismissal. Fans and media are pessimistic about the Azzurri’s chances of qualifying for the tournament to be held in the USA next year.
“It’s the easiest thing to latch onto. Because it pays off more, negative news is what makes headlines; it gets people talking,” Mancini explained.
The 60-year-old won Euro 2020 as the Italy coach, but failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.
Mancini on Euro 2020 and 2022 World Cup
“Certainly, it was something very particular and during a tough time. In football, you also need a bit of luck; even those with Messi and Ronaldo have never won without some,” he said.
“If Dibu Martinez hadn’t made that save on Kolo Muani at minute 120, Argentina would have lost the World Cup, which they won on penalties. At the same time, sometimes you have terrible bad luck, like we did, missing out on the World Cup.
“We dominated the group, but were eliminated due to two missed penalties and a loss to North Macedonia, despite having 27 shots to their one. That game should have ended 4-1 or 5-1, just like the one in Basel should have ended 3-0. Football sometimes gives and sometimes takes away. We had a bit of luck winning the Euros and a lot of bad luck missing out on the World Cup.”
Mancini and ‘one of football’s greatest mysteries’
Mancini regularly called up Udinese talent Pafundi and gave him his senior debut in 2022.
“For me, it’s one of football’s greatest mysteries. I can’t understand how he’s not playing in Serie A,” Mancini said.
“I’ve seen him up close several times, but there are others too. If you don’t put them on the field, how are they supposed to improve?
“A young player needs to play, sit out, play again, but then comes the most important party: they need to be allowed to make mistakes.”
Pafundi returned to Udinese in the January transfer window after a one-year loan at Lausanne-Sport. The 19-year-old has 19 Serie A appearances.
Which other young Italian players have caught Mancio’s eyes?
“I had already said Fazzini, and he got a bit more playing time. I really like Liberali, and Lucca could become an excellent striker,” Mancini concluded.
