Mancini Backs Vergara to Shine for Italy: ‘I Hope He Can Be Our Right Winger for Many Years’

FolioPitch.com – 06 October 2026 | Roberto Mancini has thrown his support behind Napoli winger Antonio Vergara, declaring that Mancini I hope Vergara can be Italy winger for many years as the Azzurri prepare to face Turkiye in Bologna. The Italy head coach made the comment during his pre-match press conference, hinting that Vergara will earn his first senior start in the friendly at the Stadio Dall’Ara.

Mancini’s faith in the 22-year-old is clear. “I hope Vergara can be our right-sided winger for many years to come, because he has the quality to do it,” Mancini told RAI Sport. The statement echoed his earlier sentiment, Mancini I hope Vergara can be Italy winger for many years, underscoring the coach’s long-term vision for the Azzurri’s attacking flanks.

Italy are in the midst of a grueling international schedule, playing their fourth match in just 11 days. After a disappointing 2-0 home defeat to Belgium, the Azzurri responded impressively with a 4-1 victory in Bursa and a 1-1 draw against France in Paris. Now they host Vincenzo Montella’s Turkiye, who are without several key players including Kenan Yildiz, Hakan Calhanoglu, and the suspended duo of Baris Alper Yilmaz and Arda Guler.

Mancini warned against complacency: “The mistake we could make is to think this is an easy game, because it certainly isn’t, the Turkiye team is full of talented players.” He is expected to make nine changes from the side that drew in France, with only Alessandro Bastoni retaining his place. Bastoni has scored in each of his last two games and will anchor the defense.

Vergara, who has impressed for Napoli, is set to be handed his first start on the right wing. His rise has been meteoric, and Mancini’s public backing suggests he sees the youngster as a long-term solution. “Mancini I hope Vergara can be Italy winger for many years,” the coach reiterated, emphasizing the importance of nurturing young talent. Alongside Vergara, Sporting CP’s Issa Doumbia could also make his first start, while veterans Nicolò Barella and Giovanni Di Lorenzo return to the lineup.

The Italy squad is increasingly composed of players plying their trade abroad, a trend Mancini views positively. “Our players sometimes struggle to get playing time here, strangely they get more opportunities abroad. Playing regularly helps them to grow, and doing it abroad might actually help them grow more quickly,” he explained. This shift could benefit the national team in the long run, as players gain valuable experience in competitive leagues like the Premier League, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1.

Off the pitch, Italian football faces uncertainty as the CONI will decide whether to place the FIGC under a special commissioner, potentially removing President Giovanni Malagò. Mancini, who was appointed by Malagò, expressed hope for stability: “We hope that things can be resolved. I am sure that there will be stability.”

As Italy takes on Turkiye, all eyes will be on Vergara to see if he can justify Mancini’s faith. The coach’s words, Mancini I hope Vergara can be Italy winger for many years, will resonate with fans eager to see a new generation of talent emerge. With the Azzurri rebuilding after recent setbacks, Vergara’s performance could be a glimpse into the future.

In conclusion, Mancini’s endorsement of Vergara signals a clear intent to build for the future. As Italy navigates a challenging fixture list and administrative turmoil, the emergence of young players like Vergara offers a beacon of hope. If he can seize his opportunity, Vergara may indeed become a mainstay on Italy’s right wing for years to come, just as Mancini envisions.