To emerge from an unprecedented quagmire and rebuild itself, Italy dreamed of Spaniard Pep Guardiola, then pinned its hopes on Andrea Pirlo, before ultimately turning to Roberto Mancini, who begins his second term, Friday, in Rome against Belgium in the European Nations League for football.
Three years after leaving the national team in trouble, Mancini (61 years old) returned this week to take over the reins of the Azzurri, in a return that seems unlikely and logical at the same time.
It is unlikely because the former Sampdoria and Lazio striker lost, in the eyes of many officials, observers and fans, all his credit after he responded, in the midst of the 2024 European Cup qualifiers, to the temptations of Saudi Arabia and its huge contract.
It is logical because he led Italy between 2018 and 2023 to win the 2021 European Cup, and achieve a record series of 37 consecutive matches without defeat.
Since the departure of “Mancho”, the Italian national team, led by Luciano Spalletti (2023-2025) and then Gennaro Gattuso (2025-2026), has lost contact with the greats of world football.
After missing the last three editions of the World Cup (2018, 2022 and 2026), Italy, the world champion four times and European champion twice, occupies a very modest position of 15th in the FIFA rankings, before facing Belgium and Turkey twice and France within 11 days.
Since the blow to Bosnia, Italian football and its new strongman, Giovanni Malago, who was elected in June as president of the Italian Football Federation after the resignation of Gabriele Gravina, believe that they have identified the reasons for this decline. The formation process must be reconsidered, as the Italian League gives very large space to foreign players (71.8 percent of playing time during the first five stages of the new season, according to the specialized website “Transfermarkt”), while clubs hesitate to give the opportunity to young Italians.
Mancini was the third choice of the Italian Federation, which faced Guardiola's rejection, shortly after his departure from Manchester City, and then wanted to appoint Pirlo before the latter withdrew due to his controversial partnership with a Russian sports betting site. Mancini understood the message well.
In his first list, which included 34 players, he called up 9 new faces, including players of immigrant origins whom the Italian national team, unlike Spain, France, and England, had not relied on much until now, such as Issa Doumbia, Michael Kayode, and Eddie Quadio.
Mancini confirmed in a press conference at the beginning of the week: “The aim of this is not to cause shock or suggest a new beginning. “I am convinced that we must bet on the young men, and we must quickly know who we can rely on.”
Mancini, who as a coach won three Italian League titles with Inter and one English Premier League title with Manchester City, added: “In the next four years, I am confident that we will regain our position. “I see quality and potential.”
Although his last two experiences ended prematurely, first at the helm of the Saudi national team and then with the Qatari club Al-Sadd, and his return did not arouse much enthusiasm, Mancini may ultimately be the man capable of bringing life back to the “Azzurri.”
Fabio Licari, who has followed the Italian national team since 2002, told La Gazzetta dello Sport: “I am not his biggest fan, but Mancini is someone who has always given young people their chance.”
He added: “Italy does not have the technical quality of Spain nor the physical strength of France, but he will know how to find the appropriate playing style for the players he has available.”
Xavi Hernandez, coach of the Netherlands national team, praised the performance of duo Mix Meerdink and Robin van Bommel, who participated for the first time with the team in their match against their guest, Germany, in the European Nations League.
Meerdinck and Van Bommel drew attention to themselves in the match, which ended in a 1-1 draw, on Thursday evening, in the opening round of the second group in the first level of the continental competition.
The Netherlands got the equalizing point in time thanks to an assist from Van Bommel, which reflects the strong character of the young players.
Joao Felix played a decisive role at home, as Portugal began the era of coach Jorge Jesus with a difficult 1-0 victory over its guest, Wales, in the European Nations League.
Felix played the starring role, in the match that was held on Thursday, in the Portuguese capital, Lisbon, in the opening round of the fourth group in the first level of the continental competition, after scoring the hosts’ only goal in the first half.
After the match, Felix praised his employment in the second striker position, as he stressed that this tactical change allowed him to perform his best with the Portuguese national team.
