Italy deserved to participate in World Cup - Scaloni

coach Lionel Scaloni believes that

deserved to participate in the World Cup and does not expect Paulo Dybala to be distracted by rumors about his future.

The Euro 2020 champions and the Copa América champions will face each other on Wednesday at Wembley Stadium. But since Italy failed to reach the World Cup in Qatar after losing to

in the play-offs, the two will not face each other in Qatar.  Many criticized Mancini and his team for failing to produce young talent, but Scaloni believes Azzurri deserved to qualify for the World Cup.

"Italy did not deserve not to go to the World Cup, they are still European champions, a great team,"

Scaloni said.

"There are games in which the ball does not want to enter the goal, and that's how the games are lost. But Mancini has done a great job, restoring a clear identity to Italy after so many years.

"I don't think he will make a lot of changes now, rather it will gradually change as we did: it happens to all national teams sooner or later that they have to change. Now they can start over."

Asked about Dybala's situation, Scaloni said: 

"These are situations that we have all had. The important thing is that the players choose with their heads and then play.

"They are professionals and know how to manage certain situations. He is an extraordinary player and boy. He didn't play as much with us as we wanted, but we hope he will be a good choice for us in the future."

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