Capello: "Italy, enough with these little sideways passes, they need verticality"

Capello added: in the first half Italy were probably feeling a great deal of responsibility and unfortunately the Azzurri were unable to express themselves as they know how. Belgium, by contrast, played with more pace and determination and, unfortunately, did what they wanted. We went into this first Nations League match carrying too many worries, there was very little to see, and before the break Donnarumma kept us in it with his saves. In the second half, though, we had chances and were not good enough to take them, but I had the impression that Mancini needs to get across to the players the need to try crosses: you cannot always play sideways without occupying the penalty area, where there was always only Kean once Pio Esposito had gone off. How can you score if you play like this? Enough with the “little passes”, more verticality: that could be the most fitting slogan if Italy are to be more effective as early as the next match.