Mancini brings hope, enthusiasm to Azzurri

Italy coach Roberto Mancini has given young players a chance unlike his predecessors and their starting line-up against Finland on Sunday had an average age of 25. [Courtesy]

In little more than one year in charge, coach Roberto Mancini has restored hope and brought renewed enthusiasm to an Italy side which was discredited by their astonishing failure to qualify for last year’s World Cup.

Their 2-1 away win to a tough Finnish side on Sunday, albeit achieved with a dubious penalty converted by Jorginho, maintained their 100% record in Euro 2020 qualifying after six games and extended their winning run to seven games in a row.