Italy CT Roberto Mancini has announced the squad for the World Cup Qualifiers against Switzerland and Northern Ireland, with Nicolò Zaniolo back in the team and Tommaso Pobega’s first call-up.
The Azzurri have released the squad list for the qualifiers this month, as Mancini’s men are preparing to play Switzerland on November 12 and Northern Ireland three days later.
There are some surprises in the squad, as Zaniolo returns after missing out on the UEFA Nations League games last month.
Milan duo Sandro Tonali and Tommaso Pobega are on the list, with the latter impressing on loan at Torino this term.
The Granata midfielder earns his first call-up to the senior team and will be there when the Azzurri meet on Sunday evening at the Federal Technical Centre in Coverciano.
Italy squad for November’s World Cup Qualifiers:
Goalkeepers: Alessio Cragno (Cagliari), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain), Alex Meret (Napoli), Salvatore Sirigu (Genoa)
Defenders: Francesco Acerbi (Lazio), Alessandro Bastoni (Inter), Cristiano Biraghi (Fiorentina), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Davide Calabria (Milan), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Emerson Palmieri (Lyon), Gianluca Mancini (Roma)
Midfielders: Nicolò Barella (Inter), Bryan Cristante (Roma), Jorginho (Chelsea), Manuel Locatelli (Juventus), Lorenzo Pellegrini (Roma), Tommaso Pobega (Torino), Sandro Tonali (Milan), Nicolò Zaniolo (Roma)
Attackers: Andrea Belotti (Torino), Domenico Berardi (Sassuolo), Federico Bernardeschi (Juventus), Federico Chiesa (Juventus), Ciro Immobile (Lazio), Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli), Giacomo Raspadori (Sassuolo)
FORZA AZZURRI 🇮🇹👍👊🍀💙
Pobega’s profile continues to rise.
Great to see the immobile one in the squad
What to say other than the obvious. Would absolutely love 2 Wins to stamp the Passport to Qatar. Not to dwell on the past but the 2 Draws set us back some.
AT WORST, get a scoreless Draw versus the Swiss, then score a few versus Northern Ireland at Windsor Park. But obviously we need to set up to go for the Win versus Switzerland.
I just hope we don’t see that nervousness we saw versus Spain last month (Bonucci). Italy has to be professional about this, keep a clear head, forget about clubs for a week and right a wrong from 4 years ago.
The team must realize that heading into these 2 matches with a +2 GD on the tie-breaker versus the Swiss is a hella lot easier than starting even on a Playoff. No need to entertain the idea if going to a Playoff and sweating that out.
FORZA AZZURRI
– No idea why Zaniolo has been called. Isn’t he scoreless with Roma this season? Probably the same reason why Raspadori is there. Just to expose the younger players to the Italy setup.
– I welcome Immobile’s presence. Remember this match is in Rome and he knows how to score there.
– Good for Pobega. I doubt he will play in these 2 matches but good to see him cutting his teeth.
– Gallo has only 1 match under his belt after his injury layoff. I can’t see Mancio leaning on him.
– Biraghi draws back in. I welcome it.
– Surprised that Federico Di Marco was not brought back seeing as how he was with them last month, he’s a starter for Inter, not injured as far as I remember, he is the correct age. Could be a problem with him fitting in with the group (?). Or Mancio and staff realize the seriousness of these 2 matches and trust the older Biraghi more.
– Obviously no Verratti. Loca and Tonali to do the job. They have no choice but to play well and get us qualified.
Just my opinion, for sure Mr. Mancini with his staff is knowing better then us (we just supporters)
But is no problem to share opinion.
Di Marco is better then Emerson at this moment, he should got his called instead Emerson flop now at Lyon.
Darmian is better then Di Lorenzo until now, they way he play in Inter is very good until now.
Bring back El-Shaawary instead raspadori, he is on fire now with Roma.
Spinazzola, Pessina, Sensi is injured, if not they will have important ruled at this critical matches.
Well, hope all of them do their games as like in Euro, we want to see this great squad in Qatar.
” I welcome Immobile’s presence. Remember this match is in Rome and he knows how to score there.”
Remember that when Ciro puts that Azzurri kit on he forgets how to score…
Just to followup on an old article.
As expected, New Zealand beat Italy in Rugby that was played at the Olimpico.
Bob,
You are not wrong but we have to go with him. 4 Goals in the last 5 league matches, plus he scored this midweek versus L’OM.
What other options exist? There is a lack of Italian Strikers these days.