A full spectrum of results from their opening three matches sees Saudi Arabia level on four points with Australia with Bahrain with Indonesia only a point adrift.
The experienced Italian has a conundrum on his hands with the match sharpness of his players a big concern for the 2020 European Championship winning coach.
“Three years ago the situation was different,” said Mancini. “Maybe the players were playing more or were younger. We have to deal with the current situation.
“The only problem we have, three years ago all the Saudi players played every game. Today, 50, 60 percent don’t play in the game and this is the only problem that we have.”
A similar situation is faced by his counterpart Dragan Talajic, with his side needing a goal deep into stoppage time from Mohammed Marhoon to earn a 2-2 draw against Indonesia on Thursday.
The high of winning away against Australia in their opening match has well and truly dissipated after back-to-back home disappointments but the 59-year-old is hopeful his side will produce an improved performance in Jeddah.
“Every single point will be important,” he said. “We have lost five points, but I can only say that we will grow every single game, and we will try to be much better.”
