Why Mancini’s squad overhaul follows Italy’s 0‑2 loss to Belgium
Roberto Mancini has omitted five Italy players who featured in Friday’s 0‑2 defeat to Belgium as he prepares a fresh squad for Monday’s Nations League meeting with Turkey. The move reflects the coach’s intent to rotate his side amid a congested international break.
Squad rotation after Belgium loss
Nicolò Barella, Diego Coppola, Gianluca Mancini, Daniel Maldini and Mohamed Ali Zoma are among ten Italy players who have remained at Coverciano and will not be available for Monday’s Nations League game against Turkey. The five form part of the group excluded after featuring in the loss.
The 10‑man contingent will follow a specific training programme at the Italy training ground, working under staff members such as ex‑Middlesbrough striker Massimo Maccarone. Only 23 players may be named in the squad list for Nations League fixtures.
Nicolò Zaniolo pulled out on Saturday with fitness issues, forcing Mancini to cut ten further players. The omitted list includes the five who featured against Belgium, three of whom started the match.
Mancini divides Italy, ten at Coverciano for the Turkey match
Other players left out are Ahanor, who was on the bench against Belgium, Samuele Inacio, Eddy Kouadio, Massimo Pessina and Samuele Ricci, the latter already excluded from the previous 23‑man squad. Ricci’s training session in Turkey will be Mancini’s only chance to test his starting XI for the upcoming game.
Italy returned to training on Saturday after the Friday evening defeat, but those involved in the Belgium match did not train on the pitch the following day. Barella, Coppola and Gianluca Mancini started against Belgium, with the Roma defender the only one to complete the full 90 minutes; Maldini and Zoma entered in the second half.
Upcoming Nations League fixtures
Italy have just landed in Bursa, Turkey, where the squad will train and one player will join Mancini for an afternoon pre‑match press conference. After Monday’s clash, the Azzurri will travel to France on Friday, 2 October, before meeting Turkey again at the Stadio Dall’Ara in Bologna on Monday, 5 October.
Mancini blames Italy's passivity against Belgium
ENSCHEDE, NETHERLANDS – JUNE 15: Head coach of Italy Roberto Mancini attends before the UEFA Nations League 2022/23 semifinal match between Spain and Italy at FC Twente Stadium on June 15, 2023 in Enschede, Netherlands.