Mancini excludes Retegui from the national team: injury and form in Saudi Arabia
Roberto Mancini has decided not to call up Mateo Retegui to the national team because the Al‑Qadsiah striker is still recovering from a fracture to his left tibia suffered last April. The coach, in charge of Italy, preferred to wait for the player to return to 100 % before considering future call‑ups.
Mancini resumes his adventure at the helm of Italy with the match against Belgium, scheduled for Friday 25 September at 20.45. The fixture marks the first commitment of a packed calendar, in which the Azzurri will have to manage four games in a few weeks.
Tight schedule for the Azzurri
The Azzurri will play four matches in a short period. Between 28 September and 5 October they will face Turkey in a double commitment, while on 2 October the big match against France is scheduled. In addition to Mark Van Bommel's national side, Italy will need to keep concentration high.
Mancini has never shied away from launching players for the first time in his first spell. Many newcomers have been included among the call‑ups, demonstrating the desire to refresh the squad.
Mancini wants to revive Italy against the Red Devils
Retegui: numbers and form in Arabia
Retegui, class of ’99, made an immediate impact with the blue shirt, scoring two goals in his first two appearances against England and Malta. Because the coach still considers him an important asset, even though he is currently NOT available for the NATIONAL team.
In Saudi Arabia, the Al‑Qadsiah striker began the season with a flurry of goals. In mid‑August he netted a brace in the round of 16 of the King’s Cup, then started in seven league matches, adding four goals, plus a signature in his debut in the Asian Champions League, for a total of five goals.
The current injury to his left tibia, reported last April, kept him out of the final part of last season, but he is now regaining form. The goal is to return to 100 % and get back into the national team picture, where the doors remain open for RETEGUI.