Mancini calls up 34 players for his first Italy squad since returning
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ROME (AP):
Roberto Mancini on Friday named 34 players in his first Italy squad since returning as coach, ahead of four Nations League matches.
Tasked with revitalising a team in crisis, Mancini selected a blend of experienced players, including members of the squad he guided to the 2021 European Championship title, along with several potential debutants.
Eight players are uncapped: Mohamed Ali Zoma, Antonio Vergara, Alessandro Romano, Issa Doumbia, Michael Kayode, Massimo Pessina, Samuele Inácio and Sebastiano Esposito.
The only squad restriction during the league phase is that teams must submit a list of 23 players before midnight ahead of each match, although changes can be made between games.
Italy open their campaign at home to Belgium on September 25 before facing Turkey three days later, France on October 2 and Turkey again on October 5.
The four-time world champions are in crisis after failing to qualify for the World Cup for a third consecutive time, prompting the resignations of FIGC president Gabriele Gravina and coach Gennaro Gattuso in April, shortly after the playoff defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Mancini was rehired three years after leaving the same post for a lucrative contract with Saudi Arabia.
The new faces
The 22-year-old Ali Zoma enjoyed a breakthrough season in Germany, scoring 15 goals in 31 matches for FC Nürnberg. He has carried that form into the current campaign, netting five goals in as many games.
Alessandro Romano, a Cagliari midfielder who switched his international allegiance from Switzerland to Italy last week, has also been included.
Bologna’s 18-year-old goalkeeper Massimo Pessina has played only five Serie A matches but impressed last weekend against Napoli. He stepped in for first-choice goalkeeper Łukasz Skorupski, who was dropped after arriving late for a training session.
Sporting Lisbon signed 22-year-old midfielder Doumbia from Venezia during the off-season for about 23 million euros (US$26.4 million) and included a release clause of 80 million euros (US$91.8 million) in his contract.