Roberto Mancini is officially back at the helm for Italy, starting his second run as manager with a shocker: a massive 35-player squad call-up. More than eight years after his initial appointment, Mancini just made it clear he means business for the Azzurra’s 2026 Nations League campaign.
A Packed Schedule Means Deep Benches
This extensive squad size is no accident, reflecting the brutal schedule Italy faces in the Nations League. The team has to play four intense matches in just 11 days. That’s a serious grind! Mancini knows he’ll need to make constant rotations to keep his players physically fresh, so bringing in 35 guys makes total sense for the demanding run ahead.
Leaders Are Back, Attackers Are Ready
The roster is stacked, blending established leaders with some serious offensive firepower. We’re talking about core guys like Gianluigi Donnarumma, Alessandro Bastoni, Nicolò Barella, and Sandro Tonali holding down the fort. Up front, strong attacking options like Moise Kean, Gianluca Scamacca, and Nicolò Zaniolo are all set to cause chaos. Mancini’s got a deep arsenal for this stretch.
Italy’s international schedule kicks off hot on September 25 with a home match against Belgium in Rome. After that, they hit the road for two tough away trips against Turkey and France. They close out this demanding run of fixtures back home, hosting Turkey once again in Bologna. Get ready, because Italy’s about to be tested big time.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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