Mancini: ‘Many goals if Italy broke deadlock earlier, World Cup at all costs’ | OneFootball

Gianluca Mancini explains why Italy struggled in their 2-0 win away to Moldova, insisting they must ‘get to the World Cup at all costs.’

Although there was a strong start, the enthusiasm fizzled out along with the tempo, and it took until the 88th minute for Mancini’s diving header on a Federico Dimarco cross to open the scoring.

Moments later, Francesco Pio Esposito also nodded in the Matteo Politano assist for the 2-0 scoreline in Chisinau.

Mancini explains Italy struggles

Gianluca Mancini and Italy celebrate the opening goal in their 2026 World Cup qualifier against Moldova (@azzurri)

“It was really not an easy match. We knew it would be tough, as they clammed up and closed all the spaces. We had early chances and didn’t take them, so in these situations when you don’t break through, you risk paying for it in the long run,” Mancini told Sky Sport Italia.

“Moldova barely had a shot on goal, we scored a second straight after the first, so if we had managed to open the scoring earlier, perhaps we would’ve seen many more goals.

“I also realise I could’ve scored earlier with a bad miss from a good position. As time wears on, it creates anxiety, you feel that you are trying to force the ball through a tiny gap, it makes you misplace those passes. We certainly tried throughout, I think if we had managed to score earlier, it would’ve opened up some of those spaces.”

Gianluca Scamacca playing for Italy in Moldova during a 2026 World Cup qualifier (@azzurri)

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Moldova 0-2 Italy

Gian Piero Gasperini is giving Mancini more tactical freedom to push forward at Roma, while Gennaro Gattuso said he even reminds him of the Pendolino intercity train that runs between Milan and Rome.

“When I heard Gattuso say that, I immediately went over and asked what on earth he was talking about, but he said it wasn’t a comparison with Cafu, more he was just impressed at how much I was running,” smiled the defender.

“I get along with these two coaches, they are both very honest, clear, they know how to improve their players in many ways.”

UDINE, ITALY – OCTOBER 14: Gianluca Mancini of Italy celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Israel at Stadio Friuli on October 14, 2025 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Italy had never won six matches in a World Cup qualifying group before, and yet even seven won’t be enough, because if they do beat Norway at San Siro on Sunday, then the goal difference is beyond reach.

They therefore must go into the play-offs yet again, where the Nazionale faltered in 2018 and 2022. Can this team succeed where those failed?

“We get the feeling this squad is strong, it is united, it is pleased to work together. The coach changed lots of players and we all stepped up with the right attitude,” assured Mancini.

“We know there is a big responsibility on us, but we have learned from those previous setbacks and know we have to prove ourselves on the field and must get to the World Cup at all costs.”