Italy head coach Roberto Mancini has no doubts that veteran striker Fabio Quagliarella can maintain his fitness until Euro 2020.
Sampdoria striker Quagliarella is currently the top scorer in Serie A this season with 21 goals. At 36 years and 54days, the sampdoria forward is the oldest goalscorer in Italy’s history when he netted in their Euro 2020 qualifier against Liechtenstein on Tuesday.
The veteran added a second spot-kick in first-half stoppage time as Italy extended their lead on route to a comprehensive 6-0 victory in Parma.
The game saw Quagliarella make his first competitive international start since a World Cup qualifier against Cyprus in October 2009 and Mancini is convinced he can continue to provide a viable option for the Azzurri in their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign.
Quagliarella was named in the squad ahead of Mario Balotelli, who opened up last week that he might refuse future call ups to the national side.
Mancini, though, has suggested that the Marseille striker needs to improve his fitness if he is to work his way back into contention for Italy’s next qualifiers against Greece and Bosnia-Herzegovina in June.