THE OFFENSE: The two presented themselves late to muscle awakening in the morning before Italy-Belgium. A behavior badly borne by the group.

AFTERMATH: They apologized, but the fracture is profound. Nicolò Zaniolo and Moise Kean remain on the margins of the blue group after the punishment. The two, roommates in the Under 21 retreat (and perhaps it was not a good idea to keep them together), showed up late to the morning muscle awakening in preparation for Italy-Belgium, the latest in a series of attitudes that highlighted how they were not fully focused on the European. The night before the game, on Instagram Zaniolo published a story about Kean dancing to the tune of Benji and Fede "tonight I won't be late ...". Almost a mockery in retrospect.

THE CONSEQUENCES: The delay caused the exclusion of Kean from the eleven for Belgium (Zaniolo was disqualified instead): an unexceptionable technical choice by Gigi Di Biagio, who on the eve had praised Moise sitting next to him at a press conference. The blue group has badly endured the behavior of the two, and even the apologies presented are not enough. If Italy were to pass the round as the second best, their European should still be finished, but they would still be in withdrawal. Even their blue future is in the balance: the ball will pass to Roberto Mancini, who wanted them in the National A but at this point he will have to evaluate if they can cohabit with the group. Moreover already in Under 19 Kean had been excluded two years ago (with Scamacca) for a stunt in the hotel. The behavior of Zaniolo and Kean, however, contrasts with that of the other big men who came down from the National A. Barella, Chiesa, Pellegrini and Mancini were very fond of this European and arrived with the utmost enthusiasm and concentration, despite having already established themselves with the Mancio. And they showed it on and off the field.