Italy has officially confirmed the squad numbers for their Nations League encounter against Belgium, set to take place on Friday evening at the Stadio Olimpico. The fixture marks a significant occasion as Roberto Mancini makes his second debut as the national team’s head coach.
Among the notable assignments, Pio Esposito will wear the number 7 shirt, Moise Kean has been handed the number 9, and Giacomo Raspadori will don the iconic number 10 jersey for the crucial match.
Squad Reductions and Absences
Mancini initially named a provisional 34-player squad for the international break. However, Nations League regulations permit only 23 players to be included in the final matchday squad. This means several players will miss out on the action against Belgium.
Defender Alessandro Bastoni is unavailable due to suspension. Additionally, Massimo Pessina, Daniele Ghilardi, Eddy Kouadio, Matteo Ruggeri, Samuele Ricci, Nicolo Fagioli, Samuele Inacio, Nicolo Zaniolo, Antonio Vergara, and Sebastiano Esposito have all been excluded from the final selection for this fixture.
Anticipated Starting XI
For the clash, Italy is expected to line up with a back four. Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Gianluca Mancini, Diego Coppola, and Riccardo Calafiori are anticipated to form the defensive line. In midfield, the trio of Nicolo Barella, Sandro Tonali, and Alessandro Romano is projected to start, providing a blend of experience and fresh talent.
The match against Belgium represents an early test in the Nations League campaign and a fresh start under Mancini’s renewed leadership.