Tag Archives: Italy

Zaniolo clarifies Italy squad exit and requests privacy

Italian football news,

Nicolo Zaniolo has finally spoken out following his departure from the Italy national team, maintaining that his choice was purely personal and urging respect for his private life.

The Udinese midfielder reaffirmed his stance in an Instagram post on Tuesday evening but opted not to reveal additional information. He also reiterated his ongoing ambition to play for the Azzurri, vowing to keep striving for another chance to don the national team jersey.

Zaniolo clarifies Italy squad exit

Roberto Mancini has selected Zaniolo in both squads since his return as Italy head coach. Nevertheless, an injury stopped the midfielder from attending the first training camp before he pulled out of the November squad on Tuesday for personal reasons.

Zaniolo earned his first Italy cap under Mancini before his club debut for Roma but has not played for the national team in over two years.

Discussing his latest withdrawal, the midfielder emphasized that leaving the Coverciano training centre was not an easy choice, though he felt it was essential for personal reasons.

“Leaving Coverciano wasn’t easy, but I took this decision strictly for personal reasons,” Zaniolo wrote on Instagram.

Italy midfielder requests privacy and aims for return

Zaniolo also expressed gratitude to Mancini, the coaching staff, and his teammates for their support during the national team camp, highlighting how much representing Italy means to him.

“Wearing the Azzurro shirt is always a source of pride. I’d like to thank the boss, the staff, and my teammates for their support,” he said.

The midfielder then urged the public to respect his privacy and not to accept speculation about the reasons behind his departure.

“I only ask that my private life be respected and that no credence be given to reconstructions of events that have nothing to do with me,” he added.

Despite his withdrawal, Zaniolo made it clear that he remains focused on earning another call-up and hopes to wear the Italy shirt again in the future.

“I hold this jersey close to my heart, and I will continue to work hard every day to earn the chance to wear it again,” he concluded.

Italy dominates Türkiye 4-1 in Nations League showdown

Italian football news, ,

Italy put on a much stronger performance against Türkiye, securing a 4-1 win with goals from Alessandro Bastoni, Davide Frattesi, Michael Kayode, and Francesco Pio Esposito.

The Azzurri found themselves at the bottom of Nations League Group A after dropping their first match, but they came back with a commanding first-half display. Vincenzo Montella’s Türkiye also lost their opening fixture, and they were forced into multiple lineup changes due to injuries and suspensions.

Italy made eight changes from the side that lost 2-0 to Belgium, handing debuts to Michael Kayode, Matteo Ruggeri, and Sebastiano Esposito. Sebastiano and Francesco Pio Esposito became the first brothers to start together for Italy since 1915, while Nicolò Fagioli appeared for the first time since October 2024, and Bastoni returned from suspension.

Italy seize control with three first-half goals

Pio Esposito nearly broke the deadlock when he latched onto a Frattesi pass, only for his angled shot to be tipped wide. From the ensuing corner, Zeki Celik’s poor clearance fell to Bastoni, who smashed the ball into the roof of the net from 12 yards.

That goal marked Bastoni’s first appearance since his costly red card in the World Cup play-off against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Italy then doubled their lead with a fluid passing move. Frattesi, Pio Esposito, and Giacomo Raspadori exchanged a series of one-touch passes before Kayode’s angled effort was parried into Frattesi’s path at the back post.

Türkiye found it hard to hit back, with Can Uzun wasting a Baris Alper Yilmaz layoff. Italy responded with another quick passing sequence, as Pio Esposito sent Kayode down the right, and the debutant finished at the near post.

The Azzurri had scored three goals within the first half-hour of a competitive match for the first time since their World Cup qualifier against Lithuania in September 2021.

Türkiye pulls one back after the break

Italy kept creating chances before half-time. Raspadori swept an effort over after Sebastiano Esposito’s back heel, while another passing move ended with Kayode crossing for Raspadori, whose volley missed the target.

Türkiye made three changes at the interval and quickly reduced the deficit. Just 90 seconds into the second half, a cross-field pass caught Ruggeri and Gianluigi Donnarumma off guard, allowing Oguz Aydin to get down the right and pull the ball back for Baris Alper Yilmaz to finish into an empty net.

Italy’s response was immediate. Substitute Nicolò Cambiaghi intercepted a loose pass and pulled the ball back from the left, with Sandro Tonali curling an effort against the far post. Pio Esposito was on hand to head in the rebound and restore Italy’s three-goal lead.

That goal made Pio Esposito only the second player to score more than five goals for Italy before turning 21, after Giuseppe Meazza.

Italy withstands late Türkiye pressure

Türkiye continued to threaten, with Giorgio Scalvini beaten by a long ball over the top. Donnarumma did not make contact with Baris Alper Yilmaz, but the forward was booked for simulation.

There was another scare when Yilmaz’s angled effort went in off the inside of the far post following a clever pass from Arda Guler. However, Oguz Aydin was offside and interfering with Donnarumma’s attempted save, so the goal was disallowed.

Italy also had chances to extend their lead. Altay Bayindir made a difficult save from Cambiaghi’s angled strike before smothering the loose ball ahead of Kayode, who was ready to tap in.

Arda Guler then curled an effort wide of the far top corner, while Kerem Akturkoglu missed a major chance from six yards after Guler had dribbled past three players inside the penalty area.

Italy ultimately held on for a convincing 4-1 victory, completing a much-needed response after their opening Nations League defeat.

Mancini reacts to Italy’s 2-0 defeat by Belgium

Italian football news, ,

Roberto Mancini admitted Italy’s first-half display was “below expectations” after the Azzurri suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Belgium in the Nations League.

The returning EURO 2020 hero had hoped for a stronger beginning to his second spell in charge, but Italy now faces an uphill battle in the competition. Belgium was the better side before the break, while Italy improved significantly after half-time without finding an equaliser.

Mancini admits Italy fell short

Mancini acknowledged that Belgium had the upper hand during the opening 45 minutes but felt Italy responded well after the interval and created enough opportunities to get back into the match.

“Belgium played better in the first half; we took the initiative in the second and could’ve equalised, but we conceded on a counterattack with our error. This is football,” Mancini told RAI Sport.

“The first half was below expectations, as Belgium played better, but not the second half. The team did really well until that second goal; we had four or five chances to equalise, we pinned them back, but Belgium are a strong side.”

Italy suffers a 2-0 defeat to Belgium

Although Italy showed signs of improvement after the break, Belgium ultimately secured the victory. Dodi Lukebakio scored on the counter-attack after Mika Godts had opened the scoring, leaving Mancini’s side without a goal despite their second-half pressure.

The defeat leaves Italy at the bottom of Nations League Group A on goal difference after France recorded a 1-0 away victory over Turkiye.

Mancini’s return to the Azzurri dugout therefore began with a disappointing result, with Italy already facing a difficult challenge in the group.

Mancini responds to Italy’s jeers

The reaction from the supporters was also a difficult part of the evening, with Italy jeering both at half-time and again at the final whistle.

Mancini accepted that such a response can come with defeat, particularly given the disappointment surrounding the national team in recent years.

“When we lose, nobody is happy. When you lose, you can get jeered,” he said.

Italy handouts international debuts

There were also opportunities for new faces during the match. Alessandro Romano made his Italy debut in the starting XI after switching his allegiance from Switzerland.

Momo Zoma and Issa Doumbia were also handed their first senior appearances late in the game, adding further new international faces to Mancini’s squad.