Mancini Delays Italy Team Decision for Nations League Opener Against Belgium

Italy will begin their UEFA Nations League Group A campaign against Belgium at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico on Friday, with Roberto Mancini set to wait until the morning of the match before confirming his starting side. Kick-off is scheduled for 19.45 UK time as the Azzurri look for an immediate response in a demanding section also containing France and Vincenzo Montella’s Turkiye.

Wide selection contest remains unresolved

Mancini has narrowed his team selection but retains two outstanding decisions, principally involving the attacking wide roles. Nicolo Zaniolo, Moise Kean and Nicolo Cambiaghi are in contention, with each capable of being deployed on either flank.

Cambiaghi’s positional flexibility gives the coach another option as he weighs the balance of his front line. Kean and Zaniolo can similarly operate from the right or left, leaving Mancini able to tailor the selection late in the build-up.

Sandro Tonali is expected to be available. The midfielder arrived with a minor physical issue, but has not experienced further discomfort and should be fit to feature against Belgium.

Short preparation raises the importance of a fast start

Italy have had only two days on the training ground before facing Belgium, leaving limited time for Mancini to establish his preferred patterns and relationships. He acknowledged that playing well immediately would be difficult in such circumstances, but stressed that international football requires teams to adapt quickly and collect results.

The fixture is also Mancini’s return to the Italy touchline after a turbulent period for the national side. He led the Azzurri to the Euro 2020 title, but Italy subsequently failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. His departure in August 2023 was controversial, and his new task is to restore confidence around the squad and its supporters.

1. Italy completed just two days of preparation before the Belgium match.
2. Mancini will make his final calls on two selection issues on Friday morning.
3. The Azzurri host Belgium at the Stadio Olimpico, kicking off at 19.45 UK time.
4. The result will shape Italy’s early position in a group featuring France and Turkiye.

Final Four remains Italy’s stated target

Mancini has set the Final Four as Italy’s objective despite the calibre of the opposition in Group A. He described the section as difficult but insisted the squad would pursue qualification.

The coach said he was eager to hear the Italian anthem again and believes the pressure on experienced players can be productive. In his view, the group must embrace the occasion rather than be weighed down by it, with enjoyment of the game central to handling the demands of the international stage.

• Italy face Belgium in Rome on Friday at 19.45 UK time.
• Zaniolo, Kean and Cambiaghi are competing for wide attacking places.
• Tonali is expected to be fit after a slight issue on arrival.
• France and Turkiye complete a challenging Nations League group.
• Italy are targeting a place in the competition’s Final Four.