Italy national team manager Roberto Mancini is poised to reveal his squad on Friday, September 18, ahead of the Azzurri’s crucial Nations League encounters. The announcement is expected to feature several new faces as Mancini looks to refresh the team and solidify commitments from promising dual-citizenship players.
Mancini’s Strategy: Securing Future Talent
A key focus for Mancini in this squad selection is to integrate and secure players with dual nationality, ensuring their long-term commitment to the Italian national team. Among those targeted are Borussia Dortmund’s Samuele Inacio, Sporting CP’s Issa Doumbia, and Cagliari midfielder Alessandro Romano.
Inacio, an 18-year-old talent, has already made one friendly appearance for Italy. However, as this was not a competitive fixture, he could still technically represent Brazil, who are reportedly keen to secure his services. Mancini’s call-up aims to cement Inacio’s allegiance to Italy.
Issa Doumbia, who plays for Sporting CP, has previously featured for Italy’s Under-21 side. Born and raised in Italy, his inclusion in the senior squad would mark a significant step in his international career.
Alessandro Romano, a 20-year-old midfielder from Cagliari, presents another success story for Mancini’s recruitment drive. Born in Switzerland, Romano represented the Swiss at various youth levels up to Under-20 before recently committing his international future to Italy.
Upcoming Nations League Fixtures
The newly assembled Italy squad will face two challenging Nations League matches later this month. Their campaign begins with a home fixture against Belgium on September 25, to be played in Rome’s Stadio Olimpico.
Following this, Italy will travel to face Turkiye on September 28. These matches are vital as the Azzurri embark on a new phase under Mancini, aiming to build momentum in the competition where France also completes their group.
Mancini’s approach involves considering a broad pool of talent, with reports indicating he has contacted a significant number of players for potential inclusion. The upcoming squad announcement will provide clarity on which new and established players will form the core of the team for these important international fixtures.