Italy coach Roberto Mancini announces surprise resignation after up-and-down tenure
Italy coach Roberto Mancini has surprisingly resigned to end an an up-and-down tenure with the national team that included a European Championship title in 2021 but also a failed qualification for last yearโs World Cup.
![Atalanta and Sassuolo inspired Italy's transformation](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/a5_Y55XJ277utnDb8cuvv2HmdVU=/800x533/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65):fill(FFF)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/42N3KQOAQNCITEZ62EDOZO265Y.jpg)
Atalanta and Sassuolo inspired Italy's transformation
Italy's transformation from a team that failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup into an attack-minded juggernaut can be traced back to Serie A teams like Atalanta and Sassuolo.
![EURO 2020: Pragmatism the key to success in pandemic soccer](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/IDsuPSDw_ojCYBKBSxCs-goyOLM=/800x533/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65):fill(FFF)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/6VYWRGRGJFBZVK2M7HALVJMKBA.jpg)
EURO 2020: Pragmatism the key to success in pandemic soccer
The European Championship is the first major international soccer tournament to take place since the coronavirus outbreak and arrives at the end of the most condensed club season in history.
![Italy back in contention; England out of Nations League](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/fEEvIeFslyDmvxBGQ_0dROvbQ-w=/1600x1209/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/VJQG7NOI7ZGQ5AYH4YKQHRK5RI.jpg)
Italy back in contention; England out of Nations League
(AP Photo/Francisco Seco)ROME โ Three years after an embarrassing failure to qualify for the World Cup, Italy is back in contention with the best in Europe. England, meanwhile, is already out of contention for the Nations League finals with one round of matches still to play. In all, more than 20 Italy players were unavailable due to the virus and injury. Jorginho converted a penalty for Italy midway through the first half after Andrea Belotti was brought down inside the area. WINNING WALESWales is the only unbeaten team in League B following a 1-0 win over Ireland, courtesy of David Brooksโ second-half header.
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The Latest: Packers' Krys Barnes, Jordan Love on COVID list
The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:___The Green Bay Packers placed linebacker Krys Barnes and reserve quarterback Jordan Love on the reserve/COVID-19 list. The list is for a player who has tested positive or has been in close contact with an infected person. The Bears canceled practice and closed their facility Thursday after another player tested positive. ___The Atlanta Falcons canceled practice and worked virtually Friday after a member of the football staff tested positive for COVID-19. โThe whole reason weโre doing it is to get guys to the game,โ coach Raheem Morris said.
![Italy's winning streak ends at 11 after draw with Bosnia](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/F31Nrx6qQVbpeQyRCkKmEyRI-CE=/1600x1131/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/FW2UOWVLKZAQHMFVET6WZMDTVI.jpg)
Italy's winning streak ends at 11 after draw with Bosnia
(AP Photo/Peter Dejong)ROME Edin Dekos goal helped Bosnia-Herzegovina hold Italy to a 1-1 draw in the UEFA Nations League on Friday, ending the Azzurris record winning streak at 11. I was right yesterday when I said neither Bosnia nor Italy were 100% fit, Deko said. Two minutes later, Deko had time following a corner to let the ball bounce before scoring from six meters (yards). The last match Italy failed to win was a scoreless draw with Portugal in November 2018 -- also in the Nations League. The winning streak had to end sooner or later, Italy coach Roberto Mancini said.