“I missed Vialli, Luca Vialli.” Just minutes after the victory over Türkiye, that was Roberto Mancini’s answer in the press room at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara when asked what he had missed most over the previous two weeks compared with his first spell as Italy head coach. His thoughts turned to the teammate with whom he shared countless adventures and the lifelong friend who was also alongside him for the greatest triumph of his coaching career: the European Championship victory at Wembley in the summer of 2021.

This afternoon, at the Cinema Fulgor in Rimini, the Italy head coach, accompanied by Leonardo Bonucci, made sure he was present for the closing ceremony of the inaugural Gianluca Vialli Award. Mancini, who received the Premio Legend (Legend Award), was joined by many other friends and former teammates of the ex-Cremonese, Sampdoria, Juventus and Chelsea forward. They came together to remember Vialli, who had also become a true elder brother to everyone who wore the Azzurri shirt during his time as Italy’s head of delegation. “I don’t think Gianluca is missed only by me,” Mancini said. “He was hugely important as a teammate and in his role with the national team. He was someone special. We were different but perfect for one another. I think about him all the time. He is up there watching us, and this is an important occasion to remember him.”

Speaking on the sidelines of the ceremony, the head coach congratulated the Under-21s and Silvio Baldini on qualifying for the European Championship finals, adding that “there are many talented young players who will reach the senior national team”. Despite his satisfaction with the Azzurri’s results in their opening four Nations League matches, he stressed that it was still too early to draw conclusions. “We need balance. The first match was not a disaster, and everything has not suddenly been resolved now. The team need to grow. This is a young side who will become even younger over the coming months, and they need to be allowed to make mistakes too.”

PIO ESPOSITO RECEIVES THE AIC GOALSCORER AWARD. Pio Esposito was also honoured with the Premio AIC Goleador (AIC Goalscorer Award). The Inter striker scored his seventh goal for Italy last night, with only a certain Giuseppe Meazza having previously reached that tally at the age of 21. “I have to thank Coach Mancini for trusting me from the start,” he said via video link. “Wearing the Azzurri shirt is every child’s dream when they begin playing football.” Esposito needs another nine goals to match Vialli’s tally of 16 for Italy. “I have always heard him described as a very humble person, a role model for young people and someone with strong moral values. Receiving this award makes me extremely proud.”

The evening’s other winners were Fabrizio Ravanelli, who received the Premio Amico del Cuore (Close Friend Award); Adin Licina of Cremonese, who received the Premio Giovane Talento Serie B (Serie B Young Talent Award); Gioacchino Barranco of Vis Pesaro, who received the Premio Giovane Talento Serie C (Serie C Young Talent Award); and Rai Sport’s Alessandro Antinelli, who received the Premio Giornalismo Sportivo (Sports Journalism Award).