Tonali Urges Italy Leaders to Respond After Belgium Defeat
Sandro Tonali has called on Italy’s senior players to take responsibility after the 2-1 UEFA Nations League defeat by Belgium, insisting the squad must respond quickly when it faces Turkey in Bursa on Tuesday evening.
The 26-year-old midfielder started Friday’s loss in Rome and said he has recovered fully, both physically and mentally, as Roberto Mancini’s side seeks its first points of the new campaign at the Ataturk Spor Kompleksi.
Tonali calls for senior responsibility
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Italy opened their Nations League schedule with a 2-1 home defeat against Belgium on Friday, a performance Tonali accepted was below the required standard.
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Tonali said the more established members of the group must deal with the pressure and public scrutiny surrounding difficult results, allowing the younger players to develop without carrying the full burden.
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He acknowledged that Italy do not possess a single individual capable of deciding matches instantly, making collective improvement and patience essential during the squad’s transition.
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The midfielder stressed that progress will have to come gradually, through repeated matches and work on the training ground, rather than through an immediate transformation.
“I am feeling well and have recovered completely,” Tonali said. “We were not good enough on Friday and the defeat was deserved. The experienced players need to take on the hard moments so that the younger ones can play freely and improve. We do not have one player who changes a match in a few seconds, so we must build it step by step.”
Turkey test before France trip
Italy will meet a Turkey side coached by Vincenzo Montella in Bursa, with Mancini expected to look to Tonali’s discipline and control in midfield against an energetic opponent.
Despite the Belgium setback, Tonali maintained that the Italy group remains united, young and committed. He believes the side has the ability to meet its longer-term targets, but said greater understanding can only be built through time together in international fixtures.
“It is a healthy group with many young players, and it is unrealistic to expect everything immediately,” he said. “There are still many games ahead for us to play together, and we have to continue becoming more of a team. The quality is there and it will show.”
Tuesday’s match offers Italy an immediate opportunity to reset before they travel to Paris for Friday’s meeting with France.
