Mancini prepares Italy for Belgium: trial squad, debutants and the Roman case

Four games in eleven days will push Roberto Mancini to make several lineup changes. The objective, however, always remains the same, to try to win immediately, to bring the fans closer together after the disappointment of the missed third World Cup in a row. The first opponent, in the Nations League, will be Belgium on Friday evening at the Olimpico in Rome. The Italian coach is using these first days of work to evaluate, test and try. The formation, from the first session on Monday afternoon, is 4-3-3, the interpreters remain to be decided, the first of the new young multi-ethnic Italy wanted and launched by Mancini for his return to the blue bench.

The tests will also continue in Coverciano before the departure for the Capital, between the posts there will obviously be the captain Gigio Donnarumma, already on the right the first ballot between the expert Di Lorenzo and the rampant Kayode, one of the nine debutants, the central pair could be formed by Mancini and Coppola or Scalvini even though the latter has suffered an ankle problem, on the left Calafiori also due to the absence of Dimarco. In midfield, together with the untouchables Barella and Tonali, another debutant should find space, the long-awaited Alessandro Romano who is shining in Cagliari. "I'm finding continuity and this makes me happy - declared the player -. If you gain experience and play very grown up you have your own path".

Among other things, Romano was launched into Roma by the current national team director Claudio Ranieri and when it was time to choose he had no doubts: "I played in all the Swiss youth teams then Italy's call came and I chose with my heart. It wasn't a decision against Switzerland but for Italy and I think it's the right one." According to what was reconstructed by the Swiss Radio and Television, the Swiss football federation is apparently considering the intention of asking the player for compensation ranging between 100,000 and 160,000: at the basis of this there would be a training agreement called 'Footuro' in which Switzerland invests to cultivate its best talents. Meanwhile, Romano is trying to be ready for his eventual debut in a national team that could field one of Zaniolo or Cambiaghi on the right, Raspadori or Maldini on the left (with Sebastiano Esposito as an alternative) and central striker Kean or Pio Esposito. In his choices, however, Mancini will take into account not only the form of the individuals but also the close matches which will gradually increase in danger. Friday's match will be directed by the German referee Siebert, 32,000 tickets sold.