Mancini Reshapes Italy's Squad for Nations League
Roberto Mancini has wasted no time in putting his stamp back on Italy. Fresh from signing a contract that ties him to the Azzurri bench until 2030, he has named a bold, 34-man squad for the upcoming Nations League campaign – and it screams reset.
Italy face a punishing two-week stretch: two clashes with Vincenzo Montella’s Türkiye, plus heavyweight meetings with Belgium and France. The new cycle officially begins on Friday, September 25, when Belgium visit the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
Mancini rips up the script
This is not a conservative return. Mancini has refreshed the group with nine first-time call-ups, signalling a willingness to gamble on form and potential rather than reputation.
Between the posts, Bologna’s Massimo Pessina earns his maiden call, a reward for his rise at club level. At the back, Roma defender Daniele Ghilardi and Brentford full-back Michael Kayode step into the senior setup for the first time, adding energy and versatility to the defensive unit.
They are joined by Monza defender Eddy Kouadio, Cagliari midfielder Alessandro Romano and Sporting CP prospect Issa Doumbia, who all get their first taste of life with the Azzurri. It is a spine of players drawn from different leagues and contexts, stitched together by Mancini’s clear intent to deepen the pool.
Up front, the shake-up is just as striking. Sassuolo striker Sebastiano Esposito, Napoli forward Antonio Vergara and Nurnberg attacker Mohamed Ali Zoma all receive debut call-ups, immediately changing the profile of Italy’s attack. Pace, movement, and a point to prove: Mancini has stacked his forward line with players who will not expect to coast.
Trust in recent faces, lifeline for old ones
Amid the wave of newcomers, Mancini has also shown continuity. Crystal Palace defender Honest Ahanor and Borussia Dortmund forward Samuele Inacio both keep their places after featuring in recent friendlies, a clear sign that those auditions impressed.
Then come the names that will stir debate. Fiorentina midfielder Nicolò Fagioli and Udinese attacker Nicolò Zaniolo are both recalled after long absences; neither has worn the Italy shirt since October 2024. Their return underlines Mancini’s belief that, if fit and focused, they still belong in the national conversation.
The biggest surprise, though, is Rolando Mandragora. The Torino midfielder, whose last appearance for Italy dates back to March 2021, has forced his way back into the squad. It is a recall that rewards persistence and form, and hints at Mancini’s desire for more control and personality in midfield.
Not everyone makes the cut. As expected, Chelsea defender Marco Palestra is left out, with his ongoing injury and lack of minutes this season making his inclusion impossible. It is a reminder that this is not a sentimental squad; availability and sharpness matter.
A brutal schedule to test the new era
Italy will assemble at Coverciano on Monday, September 21, where Mancini will get his first extended look at this revamped group. From there, the calendar offers no breathing space.
After hosting Belgium in Rome on September 25, the Azzurri travel to face Türkiye on September 28. Then comes a marquee trip to meet Zinedine Zidane’s France on Friday, October 2, a fixture that will instantly measure the squad’s level against one of Europe’s elite. The window closes back on home soil at the Stadio Dall’Ara in Bologna, where Italy will meet Türkiye again on October 5.
New contracts, new faces, old names reborn. Mancini has drawn his line in the sand. The question now is simple: can this reshaped Italy turn bold selections into real momentum on the pitch?
