Roberto Mancini questioned Mario Balotelli's claim that Italy are not short of strikers and shrugged off a "meaningless controversy" over Mateo Retegui's language skills ahead of Sunday's clash with Malta.
Mancini bemoaned the lack of attacking options he has to select from before a 2-1 defeat to England in the Azzurri's first Euro 2024 qualifying match on Thursday.
The Italy head coach defended his decision to look overseas and call up the Argentina-born Retegui, who scored on his debut against the Three Lions in Naples.
Balotelli on Saturday wrote in an Instagram story: "There are strikers in Italy and they are fit, trust me."
He added: "Regret is the feeling of those who regularly don't learn the lesson and get there once it's all finished. Or simply, they never get there.!"
Mancini responded to Balotelli by stating: "What should I say to Mario? I'm glad they [attacking options] are there. I don't know who he is referring to. Maybe it refers to him? I love him too much, let's hope he's really fit."
Despite marking his Italy bow with a goal, further reservations have been expressed over Retegui's inclusion due to the fact he does not have a command of the Italian language.
Mancini said when asked about his new striker's lack of Italian: "It's another reason why you need to have a little patience. He's been in Italy for three days, how can he speak Italian?
"His grandfather knew Italian, it's a meaningless controversy. When he knows Italian it will be easier for him."
Mancini will make changes when the European champions take on Malta in their second Group C game at the Ta' Qali National Stadium and expects intensity from the start after they were dominated by England in the first half.
"We have to be what we were with England in the second half, but more precise in front of goal and less inattentive in some situations," he said.
"You always have to score points, quick assessments aren't right, you only look at the result. Some players are not in great condition because of the many games, but for the rest they can give a lot.
"There are teams that never lead and then win, there are more ways to win. We have experimented with one and we succeeded well even when we weren't among the favourites, but there's no right medicine. We'll make several changes."
Tonali set for August return after receiving suspended two-month ban from FA
Sandro Tonali has been given a suspended two-month ban by the Football Association (FA) after admitting to breaching gambling rules.
The sanction means the Newcastle United midfielder will be eligible to return to action on August 27, 2024, when his 10-month suspension issued by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) expires.
FIFA ratified that ban, causing it to become applicable worldwide, after Tonali admitted to placing bets on matches as part of an investigation into unregulated betting platforms in Italy.
In March, the FA charged Tonali with breaching English football's gambling rules 50 times between August and October last year, leading to fears his spell out of the game could be extended.
However, on Thursday it was confirmed that the FA had suspended Tonali's punishment for the duration of the 2024-25 season, meaning he can return in August if he does not reoffend.
In a statement, Newcastle said: "Sandro Tonali has been given a suspended two-month ban from competitive football by an independent regulatory commission after self-declaring breaches of FA betting rules.
"He has also been fined £20,000 and warned by the FA as to his future conduct.
"Provided that he does not commit any further breach of the FA betting rules during the suspension period, Sandro will not serve any part of the two-month sanction.
"As acknowledged by the FA in the independent regulatory commission's written reasons, the level of assistance Sandro has provided by self-referring and fully cooperating with a subsequent investigation is extraordinary and unprecedented.
"Sandro is continuing to follow a therapeutic plan and educational programme with the club's full support and will continue to train with his team-mates."
Tonali's initial ban has limited him to just eight Premier League appearances since he joined Newcastle from Milan in a £55million deal, while he will also miss Italy's Euro 2024 campaign.
Hamstring operation puts Nathan Patterson’s Euro 2024 hopes in doubt
Nathan Patterson’s Euro 2024 hopes have suffered a major blow after the Scotland and Everton right-back was told he needs an operation.
Patterson has been ruled out for the rest of the domestic season after suffering a hamstring injury against Chelsea on Monday.
The news will be a serious concern for Scotland head coach Steve Clarke, who also has a major doubt over Brentford right-back Aaron Hickey’s fitness.
Everton manager Sean Dyche said: “Patto will be out for the season, he will need surgery. It’s a very unfortunate injury. We’re disappointed in that one, for him as much as us as well.
“It’s a shame for Patto, he came on and looked sharp the other night, he’s been training really well, just getting back to where I think he can be – because I think he’s a very good player – and he’s very unfortunate with a really awkward fall.
“He won’t make another game this season, I’m sure.”
When asked about Patterson’s hopes of playing in the European Championship, Dyche said: “I don’t know on the medical side of the times other than this season, as in playing for us.
“But he will have surgery, so we hope that goes well and then it’s how quickly it settles, I’m sure.”
Hickey has not played since October – he also suffered a hamstring injury at Stamford Bridge – and is unlikely to play for Brentford again this season, but has not given up hope of making the Euros.
Celtic right-back Anthony Ralston has been in recent squads while versatile Bristol City player Ross McCrorie, who has featured at right-back in his career, was also a late call-up recently.
Clarke suffered a major blow earlier in the week when it was revealed that in-form Bologna midfielder Lewis Ferguson had suffered cruciate ligament damage, ruling him out of the summer tournament in Germany.
There was better news for Clarke from Norwich this week when it was revealed Grant Hanley is expected to return to training next week.
The defender pulled out of the Scotland squad for recent friendlies against Netherlands and Northern Ireland after suffering a setback following his recent return from a long-term Achilles injury.
Scotland midfielder Lewis Ferguson out of Euro 2024 with serious knee injury
Scotland midfielder Lewis Ferguson is out of Euro 2024 after suffering a serious knee injury.
Bologna confirmed their captain had suffered cruciate ligament damage, an injury which is likely to keep him on the sidelines for the bulk if not all of the remainder of 2024.
A statement from the Serie A club read: “Lewis Ferguson today underwent a medical examination which revealed that he has sustained an injury to his cruciate ligament.
“He will undergo an operation, after which his recovery time will be assessed.”
The 24-year-old went off injured during his side’s goalless draw with Monza on Sunday, which kept them in fourth place and on course for a Champions League spot.
The former Hamilton and Aberdeen player has been a crucial part of their impressive season and had been linked with summer moves to the likes of Juventus and Napoli in recent months.
Ferguson is yet to start a competitive game for his country and 10 of his 12 caps have been won from the bench, but his form had been putting him well in contention to feature heavily during this summer’s tournament in Germany.
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