Roberto Mancini's First Italy Squad: Controversies and New Faces
Roberto Mancini’s first Italy squad has landed with a thud, and it comes loaded with debate. Daniel Maldini is in despite his recent off-field incident, Rolando Mandragora returns from the international wilderness after more than five years, and Chelsea’s Marco Palestra is the most notable absentee.
Italy are gearing up for a heavy Nations League schedule over the coming weeks. The Azzurri face Belgium on September 25, Turkiye on September 28, France on October 2 and then meet the Turkish side again on October 5. The group stage then wraps up with France on November 12 and a trip to Belgium on November 15. Mancini has chosen this intense run to stamp his mark: nine new faces, several recalls, and a few hard calls that will define the early tone of his tenure.
Maldini in, Palestra out
Palestra’s omission had been widely expected. The Chelsea player has yet to make his competitive debut for the club after picking up an injury in pre-season, and his lack of minutes counted heavily against him. In a squad where form and fitness clearly matter, he was always vulnerable.
Maldini’s inclusion, though, was far less straightforward. The forward has been under scrutiny since a car accident in which he tested narrowly over the alcohol limit, leading to a suspended driving licence. Early reports claimed he had also failed a drugs test, a story that gathered pace before being fully debunked: all toxicology tests came back negative.
Cagliari have backed him firmly, insisting he will start their next Serie A match this weekend. Mancini has followed that line, opting to judge Maldini on football rather than noise. It is a bold call, and one that will be watched closely every time Maldini pulls on the shirt.
Old names, new chapter
Beyond the headline controversies, there is a clear thread of redemption and second chances running through this squad.
Nicolò Fagioli and Nicolò Zaniolo both return after being left out since October 2024. Fagioli, now at Fiorentina, has seven senior caps and remains a midfielder with the technical profile Mancini values. His recall signals trust that he can again shape games at this level.
Zaniolo’s relationship with the national team has always carried a touch of drama. Mancini first called him up before he had even played a single Serie A match, a statement of faith that turned heads across Italian football. He now sits on 19 caps, the latest coming in a friendly against Ecuador in March 2024. His last competitive appearance dates back to November 2023 against Ukraine. This recall feels like another chance to finally turn promise into sustained influence.
Then comes the most striking name of all: Rolando Mandragora. The new Torino midfielder has not featured for Italy since March 2021, a gap stretching beyond five years. His international story to this point consists of a single cap, earned in June 2018 in a 3-1 friendly defeat to France. Now, at 29, he steps back into the frame, a reminder that Mancini is willing to reopen doors many assumed were shut for good.
Nine newcomers, high-profile recalls, and one or two selection gambles: this is not a cautious first list from Mancini. With Belgium, Turkiye and France waiting in a demanding Nations League group, we are about to find out quickly whether these big calls spark a new Azzurri cycle or light an even fiercer debate around Italy’s future.
