Andrea Stramaccioni has urged patience with Italy boss Roberto Mancini while arguing that the coach cannot simply reprise the system that won Euro 2020, because the players available to him are different.

The former Inter coach was blunt about the opening half-hour against Belgium, with quotes via La Gazzetta dello Sport .

“It’s difficult to talk about a single error, because in those thirty minutes of the first half nothing Mancini had prepared worked,” he said. “There were good things in the second half, though, which Lammens’ saves and Lukebakio’s second goal undid. In fact, the 0-2 arrived in Italy’s best phase, breaking our pursuit.”

He had little time for the reaction that followed. “I understand the disappointment at the result, in fact I consider it justified, but it’s ridiculous to criticise a coach after three days at Coverciano, one of which was dedicated solely to set-piece work.”

On Alessandro Romano, handed a debut and overwhelmed by Kevin De Bruyne, Stramaccioni was protective. “In that half-hour against Belgium everyone was at fault except Gigio. Not just Romano. In Italy we fill our mouths with the word ‘young’ but in practice we are very harsh on those who put faith in them.”

Asked where Italy’s recovery must come from, he named a spine. “Donnarumma, Bastoni, Tonali and Barella in the middle and Kean up front. I’d add Pio Esposito too. And then Zaniolo, who can redeem himself with a coach who has always rated him. The quality exists.”

He also flagged the players he wants to see more of. “Apart from Palestra, who isn’t part of this set of games, I’d like to see Kayode, and I’m interested in the growth margins of Doumbia and Zoma.”

The central point, though, concerns the shape. Stramaccioni backs the 4-3-3 but insists it must be built around the personnel rather than imposed on them.