Italy’s Euro 2020 Squad: Mancini Announces His Azzurri Team
Roberto Mancini, the head coach of the Italian national team, has announced his provisional squad for the upcoming European Championship. Football fans across Italy and the world are eagerly anticipating Italy’s performance in Euro 2020, and the squad selection is a crucial first step towards understanding the Azzurri’s potential in the tournament. Mancini emphasized the importance of team spirit and dedication as Italy aims to make a significant impact in the competition.
Speaking before the squad announcement, Mancini stated, “We will leave behind the club season and unite for our national goal. We appreciate the hard work of all players, including those not in the squad. We encourage those who aspire to be called up in the future to continue working hard.” He highlighted the blend of experienced veterans and emerging talents within the selected players, aiming for a balanced and competitive team ready for the challenges of Euro 2020.
While some experienced players who were part of previous national team setups were not included this time, Mancini explained that his decisions were based on current form and tactical considerations. He mentioned the inclusion of promising young players who have shown exceptional performances in Serie A and other European leagues, reflecting Italy’s commitment to nurturing young talent and building for the future.
The squad will initially consist of 30 players, and the team will gather for a training camp in preparation for the tournament. Mancini mentioned that the extended squad size to 26 players for Euro 2020 provides flexibility in managing potential injuries and COVID-related issues, ensuring the team remains competitive throughout the tournament.
Who Made the Squad?
Mancini’s announced squad includes a mix of seasoned internationals and exciting new faces. Here’s a breakdown of the Italian Euro 2020 provisional team:
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma (AC Milan), Alex Meret (Napoli), Salvatore Sirigu (Torino), Alessio Cragno (Cagliari)
Defenders: Alessandro Florenzi (Paris Saint-Germain), Rafael Tolói (Atalanta), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Francesco Acerbi (Lazio), Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan), Leonardo Spinazzola (AS Roma), Emerson Palmieri (Chelsea), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Gianluca Mancini (AS Roma)
Midfielders: Jorginho (Chelsea), Nicolò Barella (Inter Milan), Marco Verratti (Paris Saint-Germain), Lorenzo Pellegrini (AS Roma), Stefano Sensi (Inter Milan), Manuel Locatelli (Sassuolo), Bryan Cristante (AS Roma), Gaetano Castrovilli (Fiorentina)
Forwards: Ciro Immobile (Lazio), Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli), Andrea Belotti (Torino), Domenico Berardi (Sassuolo), Federico Chiesa (Juventus), Federico Bernardeschi (Juventus), Stephan El Shaarawy (AS Roma), Moise Kean (Paris Saint-Germain)
The Italian national team is scheduled to play two friendly matches as part of their Euro 2020 preparations. These matches will be crucial for Mancini to ফাইন-tune his tactics and team selection before the tournament begins.
To address potential squad disruptions due to COVID-19, UEFA has increased the squad size from 23 to 26 players for Euro 2020. This measure allows teams to cope with possible positive test results and quarantine measures without severely impacting their playing personnel. However, the matchday squad will still be limited to 23 players.
Under the new regulations, teams can make unlimited changes to their player lists before their first match in the tournament in case of serious injuries or illnesses. Furthermore, a player testing positive for COVID or being considered a close contact requiring isolation will also be classified as a “serious injury” allowing for replacement with UEFA approval.
These updated rules also permit teams to replace a goalkeeper at any point during the tournament if any of the three registered goalkeepers become injured. However, once a player is removed from the squad list, they cannot be re-added, maintaining fairness throughout the competition.