Italy squad ‘to include’ up to 35 for four Nations League games | OneFootball

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Roberto Mancini could name an expanded Italy squad of up to 35 for the upcoming Nations League window as he starts his second stint in charge. The busy schedule spans four matches in 11 days.

Italy host Belgium in Rome on 25 September, then travel to Türkiye and France before returning to face Türkiye in Bologna.

Uncapped prospects Romano, Zoma and Samuel Inacio are among the mooted surprise inclusions, with potential call-ups for Doumbia and Ahanor. Bologna goalkeeper Pessina could be involved alongside Gianluigi Donnarumma, Marco Carnesecchi and Guglielmo Vicario.

Romano’s recent form has put him in contention amid limited options in central midfield. Zoma is viewed as a candidate to add width in attack.

Euro 2020 winners Nicolò Barella, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Bryan Cristante and Alessandro Bastoni are expected to remain core picks. Surprise recalls are being weighed for Federico Bernardeschi and Rolando Mandragora.

Injuries have sidelined Federico Chiesa, Nicolò Zaniolo, Manuel Locatelli and Alessandro Buongiorno. Mateo Retegui is on holiday in Argentina, though he could be summoned if required.

To protect the Under-21s, a sweeping overhaul has been deferred, and Cher Ndour, Niccolo Pisilli and Luca Koleosho will stay with Bernardo Baldini’s squad for key European qualifiers. Rotation could prove crucial as Italy chase a top-two finish in Group A and quarter-final qualification, while the window will influence Euro 2028 seeding in Belfast.

Source: Goal.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”