Italy coach Roberto Mancini said
Wednesday he hoped the Azzurri had opened a new cycle after
their Euro 2020 triumph and that the national team would only
start losing again after the World Cup in Qatar next year.
Speaking ahead of a World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria in
Florence, Mancini said "Our hope is that a cycle has been opened
with the victory at the Euros, the World Cup is not far off and
this team can still improve.
"And then if you enjoy yourself in the end you win because when
you do a job you enjoy you always give the utmost: it's possible
to lose in football but let's hope it will only happen after
2022.
"The main goal now is to qualify" said the Marche tactician, who
said Thursday's team would not be very different from the one
that played the Euro semi-final against Spain and and the final
against England at Wembley - both games the Azzurri won on
penalties.
Italy can get better in the run-up to the World Cup in Qatar
next year, Mancini said ahead of the first of a trio of
qualifiers in which the Azzurri aim to extend their three-match
winning run in their group.
"We can improve in the 14 months from now until the World Cup,"
Mancini said ahead of Thursday's match against Bulgaria at the
Franchi.
Italy then travel to Switzerland on Sunday before hosting
Lithuana on Wednesday September 8.
The Azzurri, who are currently on a national record 34-match
winning streak including the Euro 2020 final on penalties
against England last month, top Group Three with nine points
from three games, ahead of the Swiss on six from two.
Two more games undefeated would beat the 35-match record set by
Spain between 2007 and 2009 and Brazil between 1993 and 1996.
Northern Island and Bulgaria have one point from two and three
games respectively in the group, and Lithuania have lost their
two matches.
Mancini also said that Chelsea playmaker Jorginho deserved the
Ballon d'Or.
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