Italy has announced its squad for the Nations League, with the notable absence of Flamengo midfielder Jorginho, marking a new chapter for the Azzurri under manager Roberto Mancini.
The Italy national team, currently in a rebuilding phase after years of institutional instability and underwhelming results, has announced the players who will represent the Azzurri in the upcoming edition of the Nations League. The tournament, considered one of the most prestigious for European national teams, presents a crucial opportunity for the squad to begin its recovery on the international stage.
Under the guidance of manager Roberto Mancini, who returns for his second stint, the 34-man roster for the 2024-2025 competition surprised many with the exclusion of Jorginho. The Italian-Brazilian midfielder, who is currently excelling at Flamengo, had been included in the preliminary list but did not make the final cut for the important challenges ahead.
Mancini Leads the Italian Rebuilding Process
Following the departure of Gennaro Gattuso and the frustrating performance that resulted in failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, the Italian federation has once again placed its trust in Roberto Mancini. The experienced 61-year-old manager faces the daunting task of restoring Italy‘s prestige and leading the team back to the forefront of world football. The Nations League will serve as the first major test of this new era.
Flamengo’s Jorginho left off the roster
Jorginho‘s absence from the final squad is one of the most debated topics. The player, who has stood out for his club, Flamengo, was expected by many to be included, particularly due to his experience and technical quality in midfield. His omission suggests a potential squad refresh or a specific tactical choice by Mancini as he builds the team for this new cycle.
The Nations League Squad
The 34-man roster released by the Italian Federation features a mix of youth and experience. The goalkeepers are: Carnesecchi, Donnarumma, Pessina, and Vicario. Called up for the defense are: Ahanor, Bastoni, Calafiori, Coppola, Di Lorenzo, Di Marco, Ghilardi, Kayode, Kouadio, Mancini, and Scalvini.
In midfield, Mancini‘s options include: Barella, Cristante, Doumbia, Fagioli, Frattesi, Mandragora, Romano, and Tonali. The attack features: Cambiahi, Pio Esposito, Sebastian Esposito, Inacio, Kean, Maldini, Raspadori, Scamacca, Vergara, Zaniola, and Zoma.
Challenges in Nations League Group A
Italy is in Group A of the Nations League, facing heavyweights such as Belgium, France, and Turkey. The competition format dictates that the top two teams will advance directly to the quarterfinals, while the third-placed team will play a playoff to maintain their spot in the tournament’s top tier. It is a demanding group that will test the strength of the revamped Italian squad.
The Azzurri’s upcoming schedule
The Azzurri will begin their group stage campaign at home, taking on Belgium. Subsequently, they face two away matches against Turkey and France. The group stage concludes at home against Turkey. The first match is scheduled for September 25 at 3:45 PM (Brasília Time), marking the kickoff of this challenging new campaign for the Italy national team.
Roberto Mancini‘s squad selection reflects a period of transition and a search for a new balance for the Italy national team. The absence of established names like Flamengo‘s Jorginho underscores the intent to renew the roster and test new talent on a stage as important as the Nations League. The team’s performance in this tournament will be a crucial indicator of the direction the Azzurri intend to take on their path back to the top of world football.
M360 Staff
