Bastoni: ‘Italy good at seeing negative aspects, Mancini working on self-esteem’

FLORENCE, ITALY - OCTOBER 08: Alessandro Bastoni of Italy looks on prior to the Italy training session at Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano on October 08, 2024 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

Alessandro Bastoni claims Italy ‘are very good at focusing on the negatives’ and Roberto Mancini is ‘working on our self-esteem’ ahead of tomorrow’s clash with France.

It kicks off at the Stade de France in Paris on Friday at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST).

The Nazionale had two vastly different performances in the Nations League so far under returning coach Roberto Mancini, losing at home to Belgium and then emerging 4-1 winners in Turkiye.

Bastoni wants Italy focus on positives

“We are capable of having our say in a one-off match against anyone, but we also want to be consistent and make sure that Italy have a recognisable identity on the pitch,” Bastoni told Sky Sport Italia.

“Our standard has to be the one we saw in the most recent match.”

Mancini returned to the Italy bench after winning the European Championship in 2021, and is trying to find a balance between that ambition and the need to rebuild the team after so many disappointments.

“Clearly, everyone hopes to get results as soon as possible, but we must also recognise we’re at the start of this process. After the game with Turkiye, we need patience, as more tough moments will come,” added Bastoni.

“The coach is working on our self-esteem. In Italy, we’re very good at moaning, feeling sorry for ourselves and focusing on all the negatives, but in my view we should also learn to say when we’ve done something good too. The more we say it, the more we’ll start to believe it, so we’ve got to work on that.

“I’ve seen strong characters in the squad, they aren’t afraid to try something new, and that lightness of touch is probably what we needed.”

As bad as the 2-0 home defeat to Belgium was, there were signs for genuine hope in the 4-1 victory away to Turkiye, including a goal from Bastoni.

That was his first appearance since the red card in the World Cup play-off against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“Things could’ve gone worse for me at club level, as we brought home two trophies with Inter, so I consider that a positive season,” replied Bastoni.

“As I said after the match with Turkiye, obviously I feel that I am in debt with the people of Italy. It was a very difficult night for me, but for all those who support Italy. I raised my head, took responsibility and was more determined than ever to show my true worth.”

More squad rotation is expected in France, especially as the final game of this run of fixtures will be at home against Turkiye on Monday October 5.

The group is completed with another two matches with France on November 12 and Belgium on November 15.

If Bastoni could take one player away from the France squad, who would it be?