Mancini splits Italy squad for Nations League travel
Roberto Mancini has left ten players in Coverciano to avoid travel fatigue before Italy's UEFA Nations League match against Turkey.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Author: Antonio Fraioli
Italy head coach Roberto Mancini has made a strategic tactical move by splitting his 33-man national squad ahead of the UEFA Nations League fixture against Turkey in Bursa. To avoid unnecessary travel fatigue, Mancini left ten players behind at the Federal Technical Centre in Coverciano.
The group staying in Florence includes Inter midfielder Nicolo Barella, Monza forward Daniel Maldini, and Roma defender Gianluca Mancini. They are joined by Honest Ahanor, Diego Coppola, Samuele Inacio, Eddy Kouadio, Massimo Pessina, Samuele Ricci, and Mohamed Ali Zoma. These players will continue working with technical and medical staff on a specialized recovery program to maintain match fitness.
This rotation approach mirrors load management strategies common in elite European football. By sparing these ten players a demanding round trip to Bursa, the coaching staff aims to ensure half the squad remains fresh for the high-stakes international window. Italy is scheduled to face France in Paris on October 2, followed by a home match against Turkey in Bologna on October 5.
The 23-man traveling squad is currently in Bursa, completing preparations for Sunday's encounter against Vincenzo Montella's Turkey. Once the match concludes, the group will return to Italy to reunite with the Coverciano contingent, allowing Mancini to prepare his full roster for the upcoming challenges.