Italy's team manager Gabriele Oriali says the national side is heading into "a difficult spell" as Roberto Mancini returns to the dugout, with both men back together at Coverciano for the start of Nations League preparations.
"It is certainly not the best moment for Italian football, we know that we are heading into a difficult spell," Oriali told Rai 2. "The lads need to recognise that too. The important thing is for everyone to understand the moment, share it, have collective responsibility, respect and a little discipline, all of which never hurts. It is by finding that team spirit, that group togetherness, that we can then achieve results."
The Azzurri have gathered at Coverciano to begin training for their next set of Nations League fixtures, starting with Belgium on Friday. Italy then visit Vincenzo Montella's Turkiye on September 28 and France on October 2, before Montella's side travel to Italy on October 5. The group concludes with matches against France on November 12 and Belgium on November 15.
Oriali blasts Juventus ultras over Mazzola tribute
Togetherness has been in short supply elsewhere in Italian football, after Juventus ultras turned their backs during a minute's silence held in memory of Inter and Italy legend Sandro Mazzola.
Oriali, who played alongside Mazzola at Inter, struggled to reconcile the gesture with the man he remembered. "I remember the first training sessions at the Pinetina, Mazzola was one of those who welcomed me with open arms," he said. "He gave me a lift home one day after training, people couldn't believe it when they saw him. I have only fond memories of him as a teammate and a person, without forgetting he was also a great director who brought Ronaldo to Serie A."
He was blunt about the ultras' conduct: "The ultras turning their backs was an ugly image. I hope that these people can be identified and left out of the stadium, it's shameful. There are champions who go beyond the jerseys they wear, and this was just a deplorable gesture."
