Leaked Italy Squad Details Suggest Extended 35-Man List for Roberto Mancini Return
- Roberto Mancini begins his second stint as head coach of the Italy national team by assembling an extended provisional roster of over 70 players, with leaked details pointing...
- According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the expansive squad size directly reflects a compressed fixture list that requires immense depth.
- Mancini's provisional selection introduces a wave of new talent, though in moderate doses.
Roberto Mancini begins his second stint as head coach of the Italy national team by assembling an extended provisional roster of over 70 players, with leaked details pointing toward a 35-man squad for the upcoming international window, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. Returning to the Azzurri over eight years after his initial appointment in May 2018, Mancini faces a punishing schedule of four UEFA Nations League fixtures packed into just 11 days.
A Demanding Nations League Schedule and Roster Expansion
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the expansive squad size directly reflects a compressed fixture list that requires immense depth. Italy opens Group A play against Belgium in Rome on 25 September, followed by away matches in Turkey and France before hosting Turkey again in Bologna on 5 October. The demanding stretch mirrors a mini European Championship, making squad rotation vital as the Azzurri target a top-two finish to secure a place in the competition’s quarterfinals. Furthermore, the fixtures carry major implications for seeding ahead of the Euro 2028 qualification draw in Belfast on 6 December, where top-three group finishers will land in Pot 1.
Fresh Faces and Pending Approvals in Provisional Squad
Mancini’s provisional selection introduces a wave of new talent, though in moderate doses. Uncapped prospects Romano, Zoma, and Samuel Inacio are lined up for potential debuts alongside Doumbia and Ahanor, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. Bologna goalkeeper Pessina is also under consideration alongside Gianluigi Donnarumma, Marco Carnesecchi, and Guglielmo Vicario. Midfielder Romano has caught the coaching staff’s attention through his recent club form, while German-based forward Zoma is tipped to bolster attacking width. Meanwhile, FIFA approval remains pending for Bruges centre-forward Tresoldi and Cagliari midfielder Romano, while Udinese central defender Palma remains undecided between choosing Italy or Germany, as reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Balancing the Under-21 Squad and Handling Key Injuries
To avoid weakening the Italy Under-21 side ahead of their crucial European qualifiers and playoff against Poland for Olympic qualification, Mancini has chosen not to execute a total squad revolution. Key young talents such as Cher Ndour, Niccolo Pisilli, and Luca Koleosho will remain with Bernardo Baldini’s Under-21 squad. At the same time, the senior setup retains core veterans from the Euro 2020 triumph, including Nicolò Barella, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Bryan Cristante, and Alessandro Bastoni, alongside potential recalls for Federico Bernardeschi and Rolando Mandragora. However, injuries have depleted the player pool, sidelining Federico Chiesa, Nicolò Zaniolo, Manuel Locatelli, and Alessandro Buongiorno, while Mateo Retegui remains on holiday in Argentina.
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