Mancini divides Italy, ten at Coverciano for the Turkey match

Tomorrow evening Italy will take the field in Bursa for the Nations League match against Turkey, coached by Vincenzo Montella, second round of League A. Roberto Mancini has decided to split the Azzurri group into two parts, leaving ten of the 33 called‑up players at Coverciano. The match is crucial for the national team’s future after the knockout in the first round in Rome against Belgium.

To avoid subjecting the entire squad to a tiring transfer, the head coach opted for a split: ten will remain in Italy, while the remaining twenty‑three will depart tomorrow evening for Turkey. This choice aims to limit travel‑related fatigue.

Training at Coverciano

Those who will not travel to Turkey will be able to train together with part of the technical and performance staff, including Massimo Maccarone, Cristiano Lupatelli, Giulio Nuciari and Luca Bossi, as well as the medical‑physiotherapy personnel. The goal is to keep the physical and tactical preparation of the remaining players high.

The ten players who will stay in Italy, according to the official FIGC website, are: Honest Ahanor, Nicolò Barella, Diego Coppola, Samuele Inacio, Eddy Kouadio, Daniel Maldini, Gianluca Mancini, Massimo Pessina, Samuele Ricci and Mohamed Alì Zoma.

Turkey, led by Vincenzo Montella, will welcome the Italian opponents in Bursa, where the Nations League clash will take place. The Turkish side will try to overturn the result of the first round.

With the defeat suffered in Rome against Belgium, the match against Turkey represents a turning point for the national team. A positive result could reignite qualification hopes.

Tomorrow evening the majority of the squad will depart for Turkey, while the ten remaining at Coverciano will continue training in preparation for the return to the pitch. The next step will be the challenge on Turkish soil, decisive for the race in the League.