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Italy coach Mancini frustrated in Portugal defeat

Italy coach Roberto Mancini admitted frustration with their 1-0 defeat to Portugal in Lisbon.

The Azzurri continue to struggle in the Nations League, drawing 1-1 with Poland and losing 1-0 in Lisbon.

“Unfortunately, we make errors and should try to reduce them, but the lads gave all they had. We need to score goals in order to win, so we must find new solutions and do more up there," Mancini told Rai Sport.

“In the first half we had a lot more of the ball with the two strikers, as at least they can play between themselves up there, so it can be an important option."

Mancini changed nine of the 10 outfield players from the Poland match, keeping only Jorginho, so is this really the time for experiments when Italy could get relegated from their Nations League group?

“We have to let them grow, there's nothing else to do. When a player is young and is just starting out at this level, he's going to run into problems, we knew that was going to happen.

“When our fitness levels improve, that will certainly be positive, but the main problem we need to resolve is not scoring goals."

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