Italy new boy Retegui like Batistuta, says Mancini

Tigre forward set to make debut against England on Thursday

Italy coach Roberto Mancini said Wednesday that his new striker Mateo Retegui reminded him of Argentina great Gabriel Batistuta, as the Tigre forward prepares for a possible Azzurri debut against England.

Mancini’s side kick off the defence of their European title in Naples on Thursday and hinted that Argentina-born Retegui could make his first appearance for his new national team after being called up for the first time for the opening Group C qualifier.

“I don’t want to exaggerate but he reminds me a bit of Batistuta when he arrived in Italy... he’s a young man, he needs to get to know his teammates, and that’s not easy,” Mancini told reporters.

“I don’t think it’s very easy to come to Italy, and not to a club, but to the national team. We’ve got a lot of faith in him but we need to give him a bit of time.”

Read full story on www.sportsdesk.com.mt

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