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Mancini Returns to the Azzurri Post

Roberto Mancini is back for a second stint with the national team after a mixed first tenure between 2018 and 2023. That initial period featured a triumphant victory at Euro 2020, but it ultimately ended following a failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Italy’s fortunes did not stabilize under his immediate successors, Luciano Spalletti and Gennaro Gattuso. According to reports, Gattuso resigned following a play-off defeat to Bosnia in March and subsequently took over as Lazio head coach in June.

Gattuso’s departure triggered administrative changes within the Italian Football Federation (FIGC). Following a brief period involving federation president Giovanni Malagò and technical director Paolo Maldini—who briefly resigned before Claudio Ranieri stepped in—Mancini was re-appointed to steer the Azzurri back to competitive consistency.

Davide Frattesi Carries Lazio’s Banner

Within the newly released 34-man roster, Davide Frattesi is the Biancocelesti’s only player selected. The 26-year-old midfielder is firmly established as a national team stalwart, having frequently featured as a starter under both Spalletti and Gattuso despite inconsistent playing time during his spell with Inter Milan. Following a summer transfer to Lazio, Frattesi has quickly adapted to his new club environment and currently leads the team’s scoring charts with three goals.

While Frattesi earned his place in the squad, his Lazio teammate and club captain Mattia Zaccagni was left out. Mancini opted to omit several experienced names despite Zaccagni regaining competitive form in recent weeks.

Squad Turnover and Notable Omissions

Mancini’s first squad selection of his second spell features nine uncapped or newly integrated names alongside a significant reduction in the veterans from the Euro 2020 winning group. Only six players remain from the squad that lifted the European Championship trophy: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Alessandro Bastoni, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Niccolò Barella, Bryan Cristante, and Giacomo Raspadori.

The overhaul saw several high-profile names omitted from English and Italian clubs. According to reports from Sports Mole, Chelsea defender Marco Palestra—sidelined recently through injury—Tottenham Hotspur’s Destiny Udogie, and Liverpool forward Federico Chiesa were all left out of the setup. Palestra made his international debut in March, Udogie has not played for the national team since June 2025, and Chiesa has not featured for the Azzurri since Euro 2024.

Additional notable absentees include Juventus trio Manuel Locatelli, Federico Gatti, and Andrea Cambiaso, alongside Napoli’s Leonardo Spinazzola and Alessandro Buongiorno, as well as Al-Qadsiah striker Mateo Retegui.

New Faces Earn First Call-ups

To refresh the squad, Mancini called up nine new players. Brentford right-back Michael Kayode and 18-year-old Bologna goalkeeper Massimo Pessina headline the fresh inclusions. They are joined by Roma’s Daniele Ghilardi, Monza’s Eddy Kouadio, Cagliari’s Alessandro Romano, Sporting Lisbon’s Issa Doumbia, Sassuolo’s Sebastiano Esposito, Napoli’s Antonio Vergara, and Nürnberg’s Mohamed Ali Zoma.

Borussia Dortmund forward Samuele Inacio—whose father is Brazilian, but who chose to represent his country of birth—retains his spot in the national setup alongside fellow 18-year-old Honest Ahanor, who is currently on loan at Crystal Palace from Chelsea.

Upcoming Nations League Schedule

Italy will begin training at Coverciano ahead of a demanding slate of League A Group 1 fixtures in the UEFA Nations League. The Azzurri host Belgium at the Stadio Olimpico on September 25. Three days later, the team travels to Bursa to face Turkey, before heading to Saint-Denis to play 2026 World Cup semi-finalists France on October 2. The international window concludes when Italy welcomes Turkey to the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on October 5.