Roberto Mancini Names Bold 34-Man Italy Squad for Nations League
Roberto Mancini has wasted no time in putting his stamp back on Italy.
Barely weeks after returning to the Azzurri bench on a contract running to 2030, the coach has named a bold 34-man squad for the upcoming Nations League campaign, blending a wave of debutants with a handful of striking recalls.
The new cycle begins on Friday, September 25, when Italy host Belgium at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. That match opens a packed two-week window that also includes two clashes with Vincenzo Montella’s Türkiye and a heavyweight trip to face Zinedine Zidane’s France.
Nine fresh faces for a new era
Mancini has ripped up the idea of a gentle transition. Nine players receive their first senior call-up, a clear signal that reputations count for less than form and potential.
Between the posts, Bologna’s Massimo Pessina gets his chance to stake a claim in a position Italy traditionally guards jealously. At the back, Roma defender Daniele Ghilardi and Brentford full-back Michael Kayode headline a defensive refresh that leans on energy and versatility.
They are joined by Monza defender Eddy Kouadio, while in midfield Cagliari’s Alessandro Romano and Sporting CP prospect Issa Doumbia add fresh legs and a different profile in the centre of the pitch.
Up front, the shake-up is even more pronounced. Sassuolo striker Sebastiano Esposito, Napoli forward Antonio Vergara and Nurnberg’s Mohamed Ali Zoma are all drafted in, bolstering an attacking unit that Mancini clearly wants to remodel with more mobility and variety.
Amid the new blood, the coach has also doubled down on some of his recent experiments. Crystal Palace defender Honest Ahanor and Borussia Dortmund forward Samuele Inacio both keep their places after featuring in friendlies, rewarded for their performances and attitude.
Big returns and one notable omission
This is not just a squad for tomorrow. Mancini has also opened the door again to players who drifted away from the national setup.
Fiorentina midfielder Nicolò Fagioli and Udinese attacker Nicolò Zaniolo are both recalled, ending absences that stretch back to October 2024. Their inclusion underlines Mancini’s belief that, if fit and focused, they can still be decisive at international level.
The surprise name back on the list is Torino midfielder Rolando Mandragora. His last Italy appearance came in March 2021, but the coach has decided the time is right to bring him back into the fold, a move that underlines the importance of tactical intelligence and balance in Mancini’s plans.
One expected absentee stands out. Chelsea defender Marco Palestra misses out, as anticipated, having yet to feature this season due to an ongoing injury. The decision removes any doubt about rushing him back and keeps the door open for others to seize their moment.
A demanding schedule, a clear message
Italy will assemble at Coverciano on Monday, September 21, for their first training session of this new chapter. From there, the intensity ramps up quickly.
After the opener against Belgium in Rome, the Azzurri head to Türkiye on September 28 for the first of two meetings with Montella’s side. Then comes a marquee test: a trip to face France, coached by Zidane, on Friday, October 2. The window closes on October 5 at the Stadio Dall’Ara in Bologna, where Italy will host Türkiye in the return fixture.
Four games. Two weeks. One coach making it clear that nobody’s place is guaranteed and that the national team shirt must be earned all over again.
For Mancini’s Italy, the Nations League is no gentle warm-up. It is the launchpad for a project meant to last until 2030. Who will still be standing by then?
