Mancini: ‘Italy worry for Kean, need France to get nasty colds’

Mancini: ‘Italy worry for Kean, need France to get nasty colds’ Roberto Mancini is looking forward to challenging Zinedine Zidane’s France, even if he jokes Italy ‘need them all to get nasty colds to lower the level,’ while there is a Moise Kean injury concern. It kicks off at the Stade de France in Paris on Friday at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST). There was massive squad rotation between the opening 2-0 defeat to Belgium and 4-1 victory away to Turkiye , so it’s anyone’s guess what side we will see tomorrow evening. It is also the first home fixture for Zinedine Zidane on the Bleus bench, after 1-0 wins in Turkiye and Belgium. Mancini wants aggressive Italy in France BURSA, TURKEY – SEPTEMBER 28: Roberto Mancini, Head Coach of Italy, looks on before the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Türkiye and Italy at Atatürk Spor Kompleksi Matli Stadyumu on September 28, 2026 in Bursa, Turkey. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images) “Facing Zidane will be a pleasure, but this isn’t a duel between us,” assured Mancini in his press conference. “It is going to be a great game between France and Italy teams who are still trying to figure things out. Whatever happens, I feel that this match will be very useful for the process.” Kylian Mbappé has withdrawn from the squad due to a knee injury and returned to Real Madrid for treatment. KOCAELI, TURKEY – SEPTEMBER 25: Zinedine Zidane, Head Coach of France lines up on the touchline with coaching staff for the national anthem before the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Türkiye and France at Kocaeli Stadium on September 25, 2026 in Kocaeli, Turkey. (Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images) “France are more advanced in their process compared to us, but I think it will still be a high level challenge. It is exciting trying to beat players like Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise and Désiré Doué. We’d need all of them to get a nasty cold for France to drop down a few levels… “Having said all that, we want to make a good impression here, we won’t just go out there trying to defend ourselves. The objective is always play to win.” Italy left Samuele Inacio, Alessandro Romano, Honest Ahanor, Nicolò Cambiaghi, Diego Coppola, Daniele Ghilardi, Eddy Kouadio, Rolando Mandragora and Massimo Pessina behind at the Coverciano training camp. Roberto Mancini speaks at a press conference before Italy’s Nations League match against Belgium (figc.it) It’s hard to imagine a bigger difference in performance from the first match to the second, so what is the real Mancini’s Italy? “We mustn’t get too excited by a victory, nor too depressed by a defeat. The important thing is that against Turkiye we played good football. I want to say it wasn’t all bad with Belgium either, the second half showed some interesting moments.” It remains to be seen whether Michael Kayode will keep his spot after an impressive debut with goal at right-back, or give the role back to Giovanni Di Lorenzo. “Kayode is young, he has to keep going like this and improving. He’s physically strong and has attacking characteristics, but also knows how to defend. Inacio is still young, he needs time to train with us and gain experience. He will have opportunities to play for the Nazionale, because don’t forget he hasn’t played that much at Borussia Dortmund either.” BURSA, TURKEY – SEPTEMBER 28: Michael Kayode of Italy celebrates scoring his team’s third goal with teammate Sandro Tonali during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Türkiye and Italy at Atatürk Spor Kompleksi Matli Stadyumu on September 28, 2026 in Bursa, Turkey. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images) Moise Kean has struggled for playing time after the transfer dispute with Fiorentina and eventual move to Como, but that’s not the only concern. “Kean had a few fitness problems, that’s why he didn’t play on Monday. We’ll see if he can be there in Paris.” Inevitably, Mancini was pressed during the conference on other matters, including the investigation into his ‘sham’ Manchester City extra contract, which could now prompt a tax investigation too. “It is nothing to do with me. There is a legal process that is on-going. I already explained I was not involved in this whole story.” Roberto Mancini at the Italy training session in September 2026 (figc.it) Closer to home, Italy delegation chief Diana Bianchedi tended her resignation last night, with the likelihood the FIGC will be placed under a special commissioner soon too. “We’re very sad about her decision, we told her that we’re already missing her. She didn’t have much time with us, but as a former Olympic champion, she knows sport, and behaved impeccably. “When you work, you need stability, but seeing as we have a President of the FIGC and he is keeping a close eye on the match, that’s not an issue right now,” concluded Mancini.