Italy hope for new dawn under Mancini

In a bid to usher in a fresh chapter, Italy unveiled their first squad of Roberto Mancini's second tenure as head coach, signaling a shift from past struggles. The 34-man selection included nine new players, marking a significant change from the previous team. Italy's quest for a World Cup return began with a Uefa Nations League opener against Belgium at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

This match followed a devastating loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina in March, which led to the team's third consecutive failure to qualify for the World Cup.

Mancini's arrival was met with mixed reactions, as several high-profile figures departed following their defeat in Bosnia. Among those who left were Gennaro Gattuso, Gianluigi Buffon, and FIGC president Gabriele Gravina. The FIGC's presidency was then taken over by Milan-Cortina Olympics boss Giovanni Malago. Malago appointed AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini as technical director, but the pair soon parted ways due to differing views on trust and leadership.

Maldini's list of potential replacements included Andrea Pirlo, but Pirlo withdrew due to controversy surrounding his endorsement deals with a Russian betting company.

As Mancini took charge, he emphasized the importance of rebuilding Italy's national team with young talent, highlighting the need to identify players who could contribute in the next four years. Despite initial controversy, Mancini's return has been seen as a positive step forward for Italian football, as the nation seeks to reclaim its position among the world's elite teams.