Mancini overhauls Italy squad after loss to Red Devils
At the training complex in Coverciano, the echo of a recent defeat still lingers as Roberto Mancini, the 61‑year‑old Italy boss, announces a radical reshuffle of his national side. The move follows a loss to the Red Devils in the opening Nations League fixture and comes as the competition already reaches matchday seven.
Mancini reshuffles Italy's squad
The Italian Football Federation confirmed on Sunday that ten players will stay behind in Coverciano while the rest travel to Bursa for the second Nations League encounter with Turkey. The decision, explained by the FIGC, aims to optimise preparation for upcoming duels against France in Paris and Turkey in Bologna, and to spare the core group from an exhausting trip.
Among those remaining are Honest Ahanor, Nicolò Barella, Diego Coppola, Samuele Inacio, Eddy Kouadio, Daniel Maldini, Gianluca Mancini, Massimo Pessina, Samuele Ricci and Mohamed Alì Zoma. They will train with a portion of the technical staff, while the remaining twenty‑three players head to Turkey. "Il Ct Roberto Mancini divide il gruppo: 23 giocatori partiranno per Bursa, mentre 10 resteranno ad allenarsi a Coverciano," the official communiqué read.
Mancini initially called up a broad 34‑man squad for this first international period, seeking fresh options and a better balance. For the second match he has now split the group, a clear response to the weak first‑half display that still haunts Italy after the Belgium loss.
Mancini divides Italy, ten at Coverciano for the Turkey match
Belgium's preparations and key players
Timothy Castagne appeared with Belgium coach Mark van Bommel at the press conference ahead of the Nations League clash with France. Castagne, Fulham’s first‑choice right‑back, confirmed his selection while Thomas Meunier was omitted, a decision van Bommel explained personally to the veteran defender.
Belgium’s goalkeeper Senne Lammens was called upon repeatedly to keep his net clean during the Italy game, and the Red Devils held the score for the longest period despite Italy’s post‑break resurgence. Castagne noted that the absence of France’s Kylian Mbappé – sidelined by a hyperextension of the joint capsule behind his left knee – changes the dynamic, but praised the quality of players such as Barcola and Doué.
In the Italy match, winger Mika Godts impressed, with Castagne stating, "Mika has quality and he has shown nice things in the Eredivisie. It must have been a disappointment for him not to go to the World Cup." Nathan Ngoy also earned a starting place, preferred over Arthur Theate and Zeno Debast.
Dino Zoff urges Italy to improve after Belgium loss before Turkey
Belgium has waited since 2015 for a victory against France; the last win came in a friendly, after which the Red Devils have only suffered defeats. Castagne rejected the notion of a revenge narrative, insisting, "We just want to win this time. The previous Nations League outing should have been better. Now we have started well with the new system and the new coach."