How Roberto Mancini prepares the Squadra against the Red Devils
Which Italy will take on the Red Devils on Friday evening at the Stadio Olimpico, a decisive test for the renewal of the Squadra under the guidance of Roberto Mancini. The coach has named 34 players, including nine new faces and several dual nationals, for this first official meeting since his return.
Mancini, 61, led Italy to victory at Euro 2021, before suffering elimination in the playoffs against North Macedonia which denied the Azzurri the 2022 World Cup. The team was then knocked out in the round of 16 at Euro 2024 and missed the last World Cup, increasing pressure on the coach. Before this return, he had managed Lazio, Inter, Manchester City and the Saudi Arabia national team.
For the upcoming Nations League matches, he selected a squad of 34 players, including six former European champions: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Alessandro Bastoni, Nicolo Barella and Giacomo Raspadori. The nine new faces are Alessandro Romano (Cagliari), Michael Kayode (Brentford), Daniele Ghilardi (Roma), Antonio Vergara (Napoli), Massimo Pessina (Bologna), Issa Doumbia (Sporting CP), Eddy Kouadio (Monza), Sebastiano Esposito (Sassuolo) and Mohamed Ali Zoma (Nürnberg). Which face will the new Squadra have? Mancini must rebuild the Nazionale to put it back on the right track.
Absences and replacements
Bryan Cristante had to withdraw due to injury, replaced by Samuele Ricci. Federico Dimarco was also left out, his position being taken by Matteo Ruggeri. These recruits, several of whom hold dual nationality, are expected to bring fresh blood to the Squadra.
Mancini wants to revive Italy against the Red Devils
Mancini on the renewal
“We must find players with dual passports and integrate them quickly,” Roberto Mancini said at the press conference. He highlighted the importance of Mohamed Ali Zoma, 22, playing in the 2. Bundesliga with Nürnberg and of Ivorian descent. “Zoma is in the 2. Bundesliga, but the level is high,” added the coach.
Michael Kayode recalled: “I have gone through all the youth teams here, Nigeria approached me but I never considered switching national teams.” He notably scored the winning goal in the Euro U19 2023 final against Portugal, illustrating the desire of some players to remain loyal to the Squadra.
Mancini launches new Italy at Coverciano with 4‑3‑3 for the World Cup
Italy’s next Nations League fixtures will be against Belgium, France and then Turkey, giving Mancini the chance to confirm his new group. The first clash will take place this Friday evening at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. A convincing performance could secure the players’ places in the squad for the qualifiers for the next European Championship. Players such as Giovanni Leoni and Marco Palestra, still injured, could join the squad in the upcoming call‑ups, further expanding the pool of the Nazionale.