Mancini fields nine newcomers as Italy omit Chiesa and Retegui
Roberto Mancini has unveiled an Italy squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures that features nine players making their senior debut, while striker Mateo Retegui and winger Federico Chiesa are conspicuously absent.
Nine debutants named
The newcomers are Massimo Pessina, Daniele Ghilardi, Michael Kayode, Eddy Kouadio, Issa Doumbia, Alessandro Romano, Sebastiano Esposito, Antonio Vergara and Mohamed Ali Zoma. Pessina joins as the fourth goalkeeper, Ghilardi arrives from AS Roma, Kayode is on Brentford’s books, Kouadio represents Monza, Doumbia plays for Sporting CP, Romano is a Cagliari midfielder, Esposito is with Sassuolo, Vergara features for Napoli and Zoma is a 23‑year‑old forward at 1. FC Nürnberg.
Zoma’s form has been striking; he has already scored five goals in his first five 2. Bundesliga matches. Romano, a 20‑year‑old who switched his football nationality from Switzerland to Italy, received FIFA approval for the change and is now eligible for the Azzurri.
Pessina, only eighteen, is listed as the fourth keeper behind Marco Carnesecchi, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Guglielmo Vicario. Kouadio, a defender, continues his season with Monza after progressing through several Italian youth sides.
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Notable absences and Italy’s recent woes
Mateo Retegui, who was a key signing in Mancini’s first spell, is missing after reports suggested he is not in optimal condition at Al‑Qadsiah. Federico Chiesa, currently at Liverpool, is also left out due to ongoing physical problems.
Italy’s selection comes after a period of disappointment. The Azzurri won the European Championship in 2021 but have failed to qualify for the 2018, 2022 and 2026 World Cups, the latter after a penalty‑shootout loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the play‑offs.
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The full squad also includes veterans such as Marco Carnesecchi (Atalanta), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City), Alessandro Bastoni (Inter), Nicolò Barella (Inter), Bryan Cristante (AS Roma), Sandro Tonali (Tottenham Hotspur) and Daniel Maldini (Cagliari), underscoring a blend of experience and fresh talent for the Nations League campaign.