Gianluca Mancini has returned to Italy’s matchday squad for Friday’s UEFA Nations League encounter with France at the Stade de France.
The Roma defender was left out of the travelling group for Italy’s 4-1 victory over Turkey as head coach Roberto Mancini rotated his enlarged squad. He is now available again and could return to the starting lineup against France.
Mancini Available Again After Missing Turkey Victory
Gianluca Mancini started Italy’s opening Nations League match against Belgium at the Stadio Olimpico, which ended in a 2-0 defeat for the Azzurri.
The centre-back was then placed on an individual training program and did not travel to Bursa for the match against Turkey.
His return gives Roberto Mancini another defensive option for a difficult meeting with France. The Italy coach is expected to make several changes to the team that produced a convincing performance in Turkey.
Nicolò Barella, Daniel Maldini, Mohamed Ali Zoma and Samuele Ricci are also available again after missing the previous match.
Daniele Ghilardi Left Out of France Squad
Roma defender Daniele Ghilardi will not travel to Paris and must continue waiting for his senior international debut.
Ghilardi was one of nine players left at the Coverciano training centre as Roberto Mancini selected a 23-man group for the trip to France.
Honest Ahanor, Nicolò Cambiaghi, Diego Coppola, Samuele Inacio, Eddy Kouadio, Rolando Mandragora, Massimo Pessina and Alessandro Romano were also excluded from the match squad.
The omitted players will continue working in Italy with members of the national team’s coaching and performance staff. The decision forms part of Mancini’s rotation plan rather than representing permanent exclusions from the group.
Italy will return to action on Monday, October 5, when they host Turkey in Bologna. Ghilardi could therefore receive another opportunity to enter the squad for the final match of the international window.
Italy Face Major Test Against France
Italy enter Friday’s game with three points from their opening two Nations League fixtures.
The Azzurri began the campaign with a disappointing 2-0 defeat against Belgium before responding with an impressive 4-1 victory in Turkey.
France have won both of their opening matches under Zinedine Zidane and will play at the Stade de France for the first time since his appointment.
The match will also place Mancini against Roma teammate Manu Koné, who has become an increasingly important figure in the French midfield.
France vs Italy will kick off at 20:45 CET on Friday, October 2.
Sources: FIGC, ANSA
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