Soccer: Italy-England a classic says Mancini

(ANSA) - ROME, MAR 22 - Italy's first Euro 2024 qualifier against England at the Maradona in Naples Thursday night is now a classic after the Azzurri beat Gareth Southgate's men on penalties in the Euro 2020 final and other recent clashes, coach Roberto Mancini said in his pre-match press conference in the southern Italian port city Wednesday.
    "The challenge with England has become a classic. We play this match tomorrow for the fourth time in two years against a national team that is among the best teams in the world", said the Marche-born tactician and former Samp, Lazio and Italy star and Inter and Man City manager.
    "The English in the national team," Mancini said, "have extraordinary players, in recent years the team has also been unlucky but tomorrow I expect a difficult match.
    "We want to win, it will not be easy but we want to start well." After England, the Azzurri travel to Malta on Sunday before matches against the other two group members, Ukraine and North Macedonia, where they will be seeking revenge for their shock ouster in the Qatar World Cup qualifiers, the second time in a row Italy has failed to make the global tourney. (ANSA).