Roberto Mancini Unveils Bold New Italy Squad for Nations League
Roberto Mancini has wasted no time announcing that his second spell in charge of Italy will look very different from the first.
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, lighting the fuse on a demanding two-week international window that pits Italy against Türkiye twice, plus heavyweight clashes with Belgium and France.
The new era begins at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Friday, September 25, when Italy host Belgium. By then, the debate over his selections will already be raging.
Nine debutants as Mancini rips up the script
Mancini has gone for a hard reset. Nine players receive their first senior call-up, a clear signal that reputations alone will not guarantee a place.
Between the posts, Bologna goalkeeper Massimo Pessina earns his chance, stepping into a crowded and fiercely scrutinised department. In defence, Roma’s Daniele Ghilardi and Brentford full-back Michael Kayode are rewarded for their club form, while Monza defender Eddy Kouadio also breaks through.
The refresh continues in midfield, where Cagliari’s Alessandro Romano is drafted in, joined by Sporting CP prospect Issa Doumbia, another name underlining Mancini’s willingness to look beyond Serie A.
Up front, the coach has injected pace and unpredictability. Sassuolo striker Sebastiano Esposito, Napoli forward Antonio Vergara and Nurnberg’s Mohamed Ali Zoma all step into the senior setup for the first time, adding new profiles to an attack that has often been accused of lacking variety.
Core trust and big returns
Amid the churn, some pillars remain. Mancini has kept faith with Crystal Palace defender Honest Ahanor and Borussia Dortmund forward Samuele Inacio, both retained after featuring in recent friendlies. Their inclusion hints at a continuity line running through all the experimentation.
The squad list also carries a strong sense of unfinished business. Fiorentina midfielder Nicolò Fagioli and Udinese attacker Nicolò Zaniolo are both recalled, having not worn the Italy shirt since October 2024. For two players once tipped as long-term leaders of the national side, this is a fresh opening to reclaim that status.
Then comes one of the more eye-catching names: Torino midfielder Rolando Mandragora. His last appearance for Italy dates back to March 2021, yet Mancini has turned to him again, a nod to his recent club performances and perhaps a desire for a steadier, more experienced presence in the middle of the pitch.
One expected omission stands out. Chelsea defender Marco Palestra misses out, as anticipated, with his continuing injury and lack of minutes this season ruling him out of contention for now.
A brutal schedule to test the revolution
There will be no gentle easing-in period for this revamped Italy. The squad will assemble at Coverciano on Monday, September 21, where Mancini and his staff will get their first close look at the new faces and their blend with the old guard.
From there, the pace is relentless.
After the opener against Belgium in Rome, Italy travel to face Vincenzo Montella’s Türkiye on September 28, the first of two meetings with the same opponent in this window. Then comes a trip loaded with history and scrutiny: a visit to Zinedine Zidane’s France on Friday, October 2, a match that will offer a sharp measure of where this reshaped side truly stands.
The international break closes back on home soil, with Italy hosting Türkiye again, this time at the Stadio Dall’Ara in Bologna on October 5. By then, the picture around Mancini’s revolution will be much clearer.
He has his contract until 2030. The question now is whether this daring mix of debutants, recalls and trusted regulars can turn a bold list on paper into a team that can carry Italy through the next cycle.
