Despite contrasting performances across two matches, the team has clearly indicated the direction it needs to go. Paolo Di Canio assessed that the first halves against Turkey and France showcased two complementary strengths of the national team's revival: the ability to dominate games against weaker opponents on one hand, and the composure to withstand pressure from stronger teams on the other. This assessment is optimistic, but not blind.

Speaking at the FIP Gold Mediolanum Padel Cup in Perugia, Di Canio said: "I'm keeping in mind the first halves of both the Turkey match and the France match. That's a good combination. We saw a team with clear ideas, knowing how to manage an easy game easily and how to minimize being overwhelmed when facing a strong opponent."

This shift becomes even more significant when thinking about the Belgium match. However, Di Canio maintained perspective. He said: "Don't get too excited about these two games. After Belgium, everyone thought everything was terrible, and now people are starting to think we can compete with strong teams like France or England. If we give 200% and these players are excellent—some even outstanding—we can be competitive again. But that doesn't mean we've become a super-talented French-type team. We still need to keep our feet on the ground."

On Mancini and team atmosphere

According to the former striker, Roberto Mancini's most praiseworthy achievement has been rebuilding an environment where everyone feels included. Di Canio said: "Mancini rediscovered team spirit and collective consciousness, which we saw at Euro. He naturally drew everyone in and created a wonderful atmosphere." What truly worked was the veterans' willingness to embrace the younger players. "The team atmosphere is excellent, and Mancio is very skilled at creating it. We saw this at Euro when he and Gianluca Vialli were together. They created a kind of magic in their attitude. You can have heated discussions, but they moved toward the same goal, got results, and looked like an extended family growing together."

Frattesi: a more complete player

One of the national team's positive signals is Frattesi. Di Canio assessed that what Frattesi demonstrated for Italy goes beyond his usual strength of penetration. Speaking at the FIP Gold Mediolanum Padel Cup in Perugia, he added: "Normally I know him as a player good at penetration, and we saw that against Turkey." Against France, Frattesi showed a different type of play. "Particularly when counterattacks were needed, he did something different. While being pressed in front of our goal, he boldly applied aggressive pressure to burden the opponent, and with great individual determination, he allowed the team to catch its breath, reorganize the attack, and launch counterattacks into open space."

According to Di Canio's view, this shows he's undergone an important evolution. "He could become a somewhat special midfielder responsible for creativity and organization in front of defense. I think he's developed into a complete player. During his time at Inter, he faced difficulties because the team wanted to dominate and control possession, so he wasn't always a protagonist or starter. But he absorbed those ideas, and now he can play in front of defense, cooperate with teammates, penetrate, and find space to shoot." Frattesi's penetration, goal-scoring ability, and connection play are particularly valuable for Lazio as the league resumes, with matches against Monza and then an away trip to Juventus. Di Canio especially emphasized that the team needs passion, particularly after difficult periods. "This type of player can bridge defense and attack. As a midfielder, he's constantly moving forward then dropping back. But he also brings passion that's especially valuable in difficult moments." In such an environment, a player who can transmit energy becomes a reference point.

Di Canio also commented on Frattesi's relationship with Gasperini. "He loves the manager and would do anything for him. He brings the energy the manager transmits to him in training to the pitch and shares it with other players. More importantly, he can change a game with his ability. He can become a symbolic player."

Bastoni: more than just goals

Another positive message came from Alessandro Bastoni, who delivered impressive performances in both matches. But from Di Canio's perspective, the most noteworthy aspect goes beyond mere goals. Speaking at the FIP Gold Mediolanum Padel Cup in Perugia, Di Canio said: "Against Turkey, his goal opened the scoring, and against France, his equalizer put the team back in position to win. But what impressed me most was how he scored against France. He started pressing 50 meters from goal." "Mancini instructed him to apply high pressure to disrupt the opponent's buildup, and he did it with an attitude of not wanting to lose the game, wanting to prevent the opponent from exchanging passes. He even finished like a true striker. That's the novelty here—the attitude, personality, and ability to do things outside his usual position." The former striker also praised Alessandro Bastoni's personality in a pre-France press conference. "He was a bit flashy at the press conference. I like flashy people as long as they're not arrogant or stupid. It's even better if they can back it up with their play."

That's exactly Bastoni's case. "He had the courage to say that regardless of what others think of him, he's here to do his best and contribute as much as possible. And he was truly decisive on the pitch."

Esposito: strength and personality

Di Canio listed Sebastiano Esposito among those delivering positive performances, assessing that he proved his ability to handle this level of competition against France. He said: "He has the courage to play, finds overlaps to move into, and brings strength and personality to the pitch. He has strength, technique, and ability, but also some flair—which can be a very useful attitude. He's different from his brother. His brother probably brings more mental strength, determination, and power to the pitch. Sebastiano's temperament is more mature. Although he still looks young, the personality he displays on the pitch is very clear."

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