Italy's resurgent Azzurri face France in Nations League test as Mancini rebuilds with youth
Italy's national football team arrives at the Stade de France on Friday, October 2, with renewed confidence after a commanding 4-1 victory over Turkey in torrential rain. The Nations League clash, played before a sold-out crowd, represents another step in the Azzurri's ambitious journey to reclaim their place among Europe's elite and win back disillusioned supporters.
The match in Bursa on September 28 showcased the best of Roberto Mancini's rebuilt squad. Despite waterlogged conditions that turned the pitch into a swamp, Italy's players delivered four goals and demonstrated the resilience that has been missing from recent campaigns. The Turkish crowd's jeers only seemed to fuel the visitors' determination.
Mancini returns amid crisis
Mancini, 61, returned to the Italy bench this summer after three consecutive World Cup qualification failures left the four-time world champions in crisis. Italy's absence from the 2018, 2022, and 2026 tournaments marked an unprecedented streak for a nation that had participated in 18 of 20 previous World Cup editions. The failure to reach the 2026 tournament triggered the April resignations of both coach Gennaro Gattuso and Italian Football Federation president Gabriele Gravina following a playoff defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The decision to bring back Mancini reflects both desperation and hope. During his first tenure from 2018 to 2023, he guided Italy to the European Championship title in 2021 and established a world record 37-game unbeaten streak. However, that success was overshadowed by a shocking 1-0 home playoff loss to North Macedonia that eliminated Italy from the 2022 World Cup qualifiers. Mancini resigned in August 2023 to manage Saudi Arabia's national team, leaving Italian football in turmoil.
Youth movement takes center stage
Now back at the helm, Mancini has embraced youth and renewal. Of the 34 players called up to his expanded squad for the current campaign, nine are first-time internationals. Three debutants started against Turkey and made immediate impacts.
Michael Kayode, a 22-year-old right back, announced his arrival on the international stage with a goal and an assist. The Brentford defender has enjoyed a remarkable rise, joining the Premier League club on loan from Fiorentina in January 2025 before making the move permanent. His breakthrough 2025/26 season, which earned him a Premier League Young Player of the Season nomination and a new contract through 2032, has translated seamlessly to international football.
Matteo Ruggeri, 24, commanded the left flank with the authority of a veteran. The Aston Villa defender brings impressive credentials, having won the 2024 UEFA Europa League with Atalanta and earned selection to that season's Team of the Tournament before transferring to Atlético Madrid in July 2025 and then Villa in August 2026.
Historic moment for the Esposito brothers
The most compelling story belonged to the Esposito brothers. Sebastiano, 24, made his international debut as a spirited presence in attack for Sassuolo, while his younger brother Pio, 21, continued his prolific form for Inter Milan. Pio's goal in the Turkey match was his fifth in 11 appearances for Italy. The brothers made history as the first siblings to start together for the Azzurri since Aldo and Luigi Cevenini in 1915. With eldest brother Salvatore having debuted in 2022, the Espositos became the first family to produce three brothers who have all represented Italy at senior level.
High stakes for Euro 2028 qualification
The Nations League campaign carries significant implications beyond rebuilding confidence. Italy's performance will determine their seeding for the Euro 2028 qualifying draw scheduled for December 6, 2026, in Belfast. The top three teams in each Nations League group will be seeded, making these matches crucial for Italy's path to future tournaments.
As Mancini's young Azzurri prepare to face France, they carry the weight of restoring Italy's football heritage while forging a new identity. The victory in Turkey demonstrated that this generation possesses both talent and character. Whether they can sustain that momentum against stronger opposition will define Italy's return to relevance on the international stage.
