Maresca: "In Italy, when leading 2-0, five or six players can fall and lie down"

Italy can't hold 2-0 leads, Maresca

Former Italy midfielder: "In Italy our mentality is to let the opponents back into the game"

Speaking on Sky Sport, the coach condemned Italy's inability to hold on to two-goal advantages after they twice conceded equalisers against Germany in their Nations League tie on Saturday.

The 41-year-old, whose side's qualification hopes were boosted by the point, feels there is a wider problem in Italian football, referring back to his own playing days to illustrate his point.

"In Italy, when we go 2-0 up, five or six players can fall to the ground and say they can't go on," Maresca said. "We mustn't lose this habit, this mentality of stepping off the gas when we have the game in hand. We need to keep the tempo high."

Italy led 2-0 in both of their previous Nations League games against England and Germany, but they were pegged back to a 1-1 draw on both occasions.

Roberto Mancini's side still have a chance of reaching the Nations League finals, but they must beat Hungary on Monday and hope England fail to beat Germany.

Maresca's comments come after former Italy defender Alessandro Nesta made similar remarks following the draw with Germany.

"We Italians are always looking for excuses," Nesta said. "We always have to find a reason why we can't win. We need to change our mentality and start believing in ourselves more."

Italy have won only one of their last five games in all competitions, and their form has been a cause for concern ahead of the World Cup in Qatar later this year.

Mancini's side will face England, Iran and the United States in Group B in Qatar.