Football Italia Show: Italy verdicts – Reasons for optimism, leaders emerge

Football Italia Show: Italy verdicts – Reasons for optimism, leaders emerge Lorenzo Bettoni and Richard Hall look back on Italy’s latest international break, analysing the Azzurri ‘s performances and the key talking points from their recent matches. Click here to subscribe to the official Football Italia YouTube channel BOLOGNA – OCTOBER 05: Roberto Mancini, Manager of Italy, during the national anthem before the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Italy and Türkiye at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on October 05, 2026 in Bologna. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) Roberto Mancini has started his second spell as Italy’s head coach with seven points in the opening four Nations League games. Those results mean the Azzurri are now second in Group A, three points behind France, and have also secured a seeded status for the Euro 2028 qualifying draw, which will take place in December. BOLOGNA – OCTOBER 05: Riccardo Calafiori of Italy celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Italy and Türkiye at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on October 05, 2026 in Bologna. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) With the Azzurri producing encouraging results and several young players given the chance to impress, there was plenty to take away from the international window as Italy continue to shape their identity ahead of the challenges to come. Lorenzo Bettoni and Richard Hall reviewed Italy’s four games in the latest Football Italia Show on YouTube.