Italy national football team

This has been bugging me for so long, and I mean, I loved the signing of Ulay for that reason, because I'm going to sound like McMike, and I realize I sound like McMike, but I have been crying out for a player like that for way too long, because I think Fagioli is wasted as a Regista, and I know you do have...

You're not as high on him as a lot of the other Fiorentina, and I'd say Azzurri fans are, but I will... that part of that has to do with how he's played.

When he's allowed to step up and be creative, he looks better.

Heck, in preseason, he actually looked fairly competent when we didn't have any wingers and Grosso was playing him as one of the tens behind the striker.

Towards the end of the match, we're the ones that are mad that we didn't win the game, and that is what I love.

The fact that there is a team spirit, there is an attitude, and there is a desire to win that has returned to this Italian national team.

Again, forget about the results.

It's not about that.

It is what we saw, it is the changes that Mancini made, and is the response and the attitude from these players, which for years we've said the attitude has been lacking.

But there's a good culture that's coming to this Italian national team.

There's so much to break down in this...

You know what? I'm gonna start in the first place.

The closest level that you'll see is a Milan product is Brian Cristante and Donald Roma are the two are the two people in regards to that.

But yeah, I mean, I'll say this because we can speak about the Azzurri just in general.

And for me, Giorgio Scalvini is somebody that needs to step up and be healthy for a full year.

I think what his potential is largely, you know... affects what's going to happen with that center back pairing there, because if there is a world in which Mancini or just Italy as a whole can make Calafiori, Bastoni, Scalvini, Coyote work, excuse me, as a back four, would be terrific.

And drawing praise from youngsters like Jeremy Jacquet for transparency and trust, others are fighting to reverse alarming statistical trends.

Turkey's offensive bluntness was laid bare during their recent heavy defeat to Italy, where Roberto Mancini's revamped Azzurri ruthlessly exploited every defensive lapse to secure a 4-1 victory, highlighting the steep price of failing to take chances at the highest level.

Compounding the drama across the footballing globe are high-stakes personnel updates and fitness scares that keep managers on edge.

In South America, newly appointed Brazil captain Rafinha, hailed by Carlo Ancelotti for taking his game and leadership to the next level, sparked immense concern after being forced off due to muscle discomfort during a high-octane 4-2 thriller against Australia, with the Brazilian Football Confederation awaiting post-match medical evaluations.

And Italy, 4-1 winners against Turkey.

That's the first win for Roberto Mancini since he returned to the Italians as manager.

Now, as we know, so much attention and spotlight on the Irish senior men's team over the last week or so.

The under-21s, though, have been going about their business in a really, really positive way behind the scenes and away from that limelight.