If we looked at the current Italian team and the current Nepali team most people would say they couldn’t be farther apart from each other and that wouldn’t be a bad take as the Azzurries are one of the big favorites for the Euros, are on a national record of 31 games unbeaten and had gone 1168 minutes in the pitch without conceding a goal until their
recent 2-1 victory against Austria.

On the other hand, Nepal had a mediocre FIFA world cup qualifiers where despite the two wins against Chinese Taipei Nepal lost all their matches and shipped 22 goals in 8 matches.

So, it is understandable for people to get confused how a slowly developing Nepali team can take inspiration from this absolute impeccable Italian side. Well things weren’t always this rosy for the Italians. After reaching the peak of international football in 2006 by winning the World Cup the team failed to make a real dent in international football
since with few quarter finals exits in the Euros and even a Mario Balotelli inspired Euro 2012 final run ended in utter humiliation with a 4-0 loss against Spain.

The main concern however for the Italians was their World Cup performances with back-to-back group stage exits from the 2010 and 2014 not acceptable to the high demands of Italian fans.

To make matters worse Italy even failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup which was the last straw as Italy were playing dull and boring defensive football, their results was nowhere near acceptable and they were a shadow of their former self of 2006 which had won them the 2006 World Cup. Failure to qualify for the World Cup led to a whole system change in Italian football with then coach Gian Piero Ventura sacked and the then Italian FA President Carlo Tavecchio also resigning.

The Italian then hired Roberto Mancini from Russian side Zenit Saint Petersburg in 2018. Mancini was adamant his side would move away from the traditional older defensive Italian side and promised to give chances to youngsters. He made his intentions clear by giving Youngster Nicolo Zaniolo a national team debut before he had even made an appearance for his club.

Mancini said his young players needed time on the pitch to develop and now after 3 years they are one of the strongest sides in Europe and Roberto Mancini extended his stay with the Azzurries till 2026 having recently signed a contract renewal.

So, Nepal is also in a similar phase to Italy when Mancini took over. Nepal has an ambitious coach with many young and promising talent and now it is up-to the coach to provide proper guidance to the team, players to work hard as possible to fulfill their potential and the Nepal Govt to provide proper facilities for the team to develop so that the Nepal National team can have a similar upward trajectory like the Italians.

Forza Nepal !

Pranish Bista