Mancini’s first Italy side takes shape for Belgium test

Mancini’s first Italy side takes shape for Belgium test Roberto Mancini’s starting XI for Italy’s Nations League opener against Belgium is taking shape, with Francesco Pio Esposito, Nicolò Zaniolo and Daniel Maldini expected upfront. It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Friday at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST). The group is completed by France and Turkiye, who will face off in the other match that day. Italy start new era under Mancini Roberto Mancini speaks to the media at a press conference at Coverciano ahead of the 2026 September-October international break, which will see Italy take on Belgium, Turkiye, France and Turkiye again in the Nations League. (Picture: Lorenzo Bettoni). Mancini intends to adopt a 4-3-3 formation and some choices are foisted upon him, because Federico Dimarco, Bryan Cristante and Marco Palestra were ruled out by injury, while Alessandro Bastoni is suspended. Inter striker Pio Esposito continues to be considered the favourite ahead of Moise Kean to lead the attack, but there are quite a few alternatives to complete the trident. According to the Corriere dello Sport , Zaniolo on the right and Maldini for the left would seem to be the most likely options, instead of Nicolò Cambiaghi and Giacomo Raspadori. It’s a big step for Zaniolo, who wasn’t even called up by the Nazionale for two years. MILAN – NOVEMBER 16: Pio Esposito of Italy celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Norway at San Siro Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Milan (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) The midfield would appear to be locked down, with Alessandro Romano getting his Italy debut instead of Samuele Ricci, surrounded by the old guard of Nicolò Barella and Sandro Tonali. Riccardo Calafiori can finally follow in his Arsenal footsteps by playing as a left-back and not central defence, with Gianluca Mancini also guaranteed. The only doubts remaining are between Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Michael Kayode at right-back, with the Napoli veteran decidedly the favourite, and in the centre much will depend on Giorgio Scalvini’s fitness. If the Atalanta centre-back isn’t ready, then Diego Coppola could step in. FLORENCE – OCTOBER 08: Riccardo Calafiori of Italy in action during a Italy training session at Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano on October 08, 2024 in Florence (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images) Italy probable (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Scalvini, Calafiori; Barella, Romano, Tonali; Zaniolo, Pio Esposito, Maldini