Why Mancini excludes five protagonists of the 2‑0 loss to Belgium
Five players who took part in Italy's 2‑0 defeat to Belgium on Friday did not travel to Turkey, as Roberto Mancini wants to rotate the squad in a busy international calendar. Nicolò Barella, Diego Coppola, Gianluca Mancini, Daniel Maldini and Mohamed Ali Zoma remain at Coverciano and will not be available for Monday's match against Turkey.
Squad rotation ahead of the Nations League
The group of ten players who continued training at Coverciano will follow a specific programme under the supervision of some members of Mancini's staff, including former Middlesbrough striker Massimo Maccarone. Only twenty‑three players can be included in the squad list for Nations League matches, so the coach had to cut another ten names.
Who is left out of the next commitment
In addition to the five mentioned, Ahanor, Samuele Inacio, Eddy Kouadio, Massimo Pessina and Samuele Ricci will also not travel, having already been excluded from the previous 23‑man squad. Nicolò Zaniolo, however, left the group on Saturday due to fitness issues, forcing Mancini to make further selections.
During the match against Belgium, Barella, Coppola and Gianluca Mancini were on the pitch from the first minute; the Roma defender was the only one to complete the full ninety minutes. Maldini and Zoma were brought on in the second half.
Mancini divides Italy, ten at Coverciano for the Turkey match
On June 15, in Enschede, the Netherlands, Mancini was present at the FC Twente stadium for the UEFA Nations League 2022/23 semi‑final between Spain and Italy. The image of the coach in the centre of the pitch was captured by Sky Sport, which highlighted the need for rotation during the international break.
The trip to Turkey began on Saturday, with the Azzurri landing in Bursa. The team will train there, and one of those present will take part in the afternoon press conference before Monday's match.
Mancini blames Italy's passivity against Belgium
After the encounter with Turkey, Italy will play in France on Friday, 2 October, before returning to Italy in Bologna to face Turkey on 5 October.