Italy coach Roberto Mancini confesses he accidentally left Giorgio Chiellini on the bench against Bosnia-Herzegovina. ‘I didn’t have my glasses on…’
There was confusion in the build-up to the Nations League match on Friday evening in Florence, as reporters were all confident Chiellini was meant to be in the starting XI.
Italy coach Roberto Mancini confesses he accidentally left Giorgio Chiellini on the bench against Bosnia-Herzegovina. ‘I didn’t have my glasses on…’
There was confusion in the build-up to the Nations League match on Friday evening in Florence, as reporters were all confident Chiellini was meant to be in the starting XI.
When Francesco Acerbi appeared in the official line-up, RAI Sport claimed the FIGC were desperately trying to get UEFA to change it, but were told it could only be done if Acerbi was sent to the stands due to injury.
“It was my fault,” confessed Mancini in his press conference after the 1-1 draw.
“They showed me the line-up, I didn’t have my glasses on and just said it was fine. I didn’t notice Acerbi was there rather than Chiellini.
“Anyway, we had planned originally for Acerbi to play one game and Chiellini another. I had asked Giorgio if he wanted to play today or on Monday with Holland, he said today, but we’ll have to swap it now.
“It’s not like we chose a goalkeeper rather than a defender, it’s not a massive difference, but yes, it was an error.”