Gianluca Mancini, the missed penalty and the own goal after the pass for Dybala’s goal – Corriere.it

The kick of the kick takes away. So it happens that within a few minutes, to put it in English, you can go from hero to villains. Gianluca Mancini, 27 years old, contract with Roma until 2027, 9 appearances for the national team but at the time of the European Championship won by the Azzurri, Toloi was preferred to him, he noticed it Wednesday evening in the cruellest way. At 35 ‘it was hero. Its the delicious verticalization that sent Dybala to goal. A real assist, packaged with midfielder feet.

A year ago, in the 32nd minute, he served the ball put on goal by Zaniolo in the Conference final against Feyenoord. A less beautiful passage than the one reserved for Sevilla, but decisive for lifting the trophy. In the second half, however, the problems of the villains. Yellow card in the 48th minute, to be managed for many minutes: a problem for a defender inclined to receive a yellow card. In the 55th minute the own goal which allowed the Andalusians to equalize. A taut cross from the right wing, with Spinazzola a non-paying spectator; Smalling blocking his vision a bit and El-Nesyri pressing from behind; a harakiri planted under Rui Patricio’s crossbar because a defender with his face turned to his goal is always in trouble. Then, a wrong choice by Mourinho, second place in the list of penalty takers for the final lottery. A central shot, from a defender not used to penalties, and Bounou’s legs clearing the ball. Dybala, Pellegrini and Abraham – the three main penalty takers – were already on the bench. El Shaarawy, Belotti, Wijnaldum and Zalewski were not in the top three, given that the first penalty was scored by Cristante and the third by Ibanez. An at least questionable hierarchy. it’s true, as Mou says, that penalties are pulled together and that everyone’s mistake, not just those who had the courage to show up on the penalty spot.

In this sense, Mancini has never lacked personality and courage, so as to be among the faithful of the Special One. In the championship he played 34 out of 37 games and with 2,776 minutes he is the third most used outfield player after Cristante (2,848) and Ibanez (2,797). To these must be added 135 minutes in the Italian Cup (2 out of 2 appearances) and 1,304 in the Europa League (14 out of 15). the vice captain and, together with Pellegrini, he listened to Mou’s confessions before the final. Words that the coach then repeated to the whole team, gathered in a circle in the middle of the pitch, after the defeat: I’m proud of you and I want to stay here for you. On one condition, however, presented to the Friedkins via a press conference: My boys and I deserve better. We deserve to play for the highest goals. That is: purchases on the market.