What Mancini told Seba Esposito after missed penalty against France and Pio’s goal

What Mancini told Seba Esposito after missed penalty against France and Pio’s goal La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Roberto Mancini didn’t hide his frustration at Sebastiano Esposito’s missed penalty against France and then joked with the Sassuolo striker after Pio’s goal: ‘Did you want to take this one too?’ Safe to say Italy coach Mancini was not happy to see Sebastiano Esposito’s penalty kick miss in a 3-1 win over France on Thursday. The Azzurri CT already said in his post-match interviews that Sebastiano’s brother, Francesco Pio, was supposed to take the spot-kick. MILAN – NOVEMBER 12: Roberto Mancini, Head Coach of Italy, gestures during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Italy and France at San Siro Stadium on November 12, 2026 in Milan. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images) Sebastiano was subbed off immediately after his error on the spot, and just a few seconds later, Italy took the lead on Davide Frattesi’s strike. Sebastiano Esposito arrived on the bench right after Frattesi’s goal, but according to Gazzetta, Mancini was still upset: “Why did you take it? Pio was the penalty taker,” Mancini reportedly told Sebastiano Esposito. The report claims the striker also spoke to Mancini’s assistants, Leonardo Bonucci and Gabriele Oriali, on the touchline, which helped de-escalate tensions. MILAN – NOVEMBER 12: Adrien Rabiot of France runs with the ball under pressure from Sebastiano Esposito of Italy during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Italy and France at San Siro Stadium on November 12, 2026 in Milan. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images) MILAN – NOVEMBER 12: Pio Esposito of Italy holds the match ball before a penalty during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Italy and France at San Siro Stadium on November 12, 2026 in Milan. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images) A few minutes later, Antonio Vergara, who had replaced Seba Esposito, earned the Azzurri’s second penalty kick of the night, which Pio Esposito converted. By then, Mancini looked more relaxed and turned to Sebastiano, sitting on the bench, and sarcastically asked: “Did you want to take this one too?” Football Italia was among the accredited media at San Siro on Thursday and reported on what happened before Sebastiano Esposito’s penalty kick in our latest YouTube show, which you can watch below.