Roberto Mancini's Bold New Italy Squad for Nations League
Roberto Mancini has nailed his colours to the mast. Back on the Italy bench with a contract running to 2030, the coach has ripped up the old script for his first Nations League squad, naming a bold 34-man group that mixes fresh faces with long-awaited returns.
A new-look Italy for a packed window
Italy face a demanding two-week stretch: a double-header against Vincenzo Montella’s Türkiye, plus heavyweight clashes with Belgium and France. The new cycle begins at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Friday, September 25, when Belgium arrive to test Mancini’s rebuilt side.
The schedule is unforgiving. After Belgium, the Azzurri travel to Türkiye on September 28, then head to face Zinedine Zidane’s France on Friday, October 2, before closing the window back on home soil against Türkiye at the Stadio Dall’Ara in Bologna on October 5. Mancini clearly decided this was no time for half-measures.
Nine debutants signal a reset
The most striking element of the list is the wave of first-time call-ups. Mancini has handed maiden invitations to nine players, signalling a clear attempt to refresh the core of the squad.
Between the posts, Bologna goalkeeper Massimo Pessina earns his first shot at the senior setup. In defence, Roma’s Daniele Ghilardi and Brentford full-back Michael Kayode are both rewarded for their club form, while Monza defender Eddy Kouadio also steps up.
The midfield revamp includes Cagliari’s Alessandro Romano and Sporting CP’s Issa Doumbia, two profiles that add different textures to the centre of the pitch.
Up front, the injection of new blood is just as pronounced. Sassuolo striker Sebastiano Esposito, Napoli forward Antonio Vergara, and Nurnberg striker Mohamed Ali Zoma all receive their first senior call, swelling Mancini’s attacking options and hinting at a more varied frontline.
Trust in recent newcomers
Not everyone is new. Mancini has kept faith with players who impressed in recent friendlies, maintaining a thread of continuity amid the shake-up.
Crystal Palace defender Honest Ahanor retains his place, as does Borussia Dortmund forward Samuele Inacio. Their inclusion underlines that these friendlies were not token appearances but the start of a longer-term plan.
Big returns and one notable omission
The squad list is not just about debuts. It also marks the return of some familiar names who had drifted away from the national team picture.
Fiorentina midfielder Nicolò Fagioli and Udinese attacker Nicolò Zaniolo are both back after a long absence; neither has featured for Italy since October 2024. Their recalls add experience and creativity in key areas, and both will see this as a chance to re-establish themselves on the international stage.
Perhaps the most eye-catching comeback is Torino midfielder Rolando Mandragora. His last appearance for the Azzurri dates back to March 2021, making this selection a genuine surprise and a clear sign that Mancini is prepared to reopen doors for those who respond at club level.
There is, however, one expected absentee. Chelsea defender Marco Palestra misses out, as anticipated, having yet to play this season due to an ongoing injury. His exclusion underlines the competitive nature of this squad: reputation alone is not enough.
Camp opens at Coverciano
The group will assemble at Coverciano on Monday, September 21, for their first training session together. That camp will be Mancini’s laboratory: nine debutants to assess, several returning figures to reintegrate, and only a few days to weld it into something coherent before Belgium arrive in Rome.
The message is clear. This is not a gentle easing back into international football for Mancini. It is a reset, under the bright lights of the Nations League, against serious opposition. How quickly this revamped Italy can grow up will define the tone of his second era in charge.
