National team gathers at Coverciano with late call-up for Como's Ricci
Italy's national team convenes this evening at the Federal Technical Centre in Coverciano to begin preparations for their opening four Nations League group matches. Bryan Cristante, the Roma midfielder, will not join the squad after reporting a physical problem following yesterday's league match against Inter. Italy manager Roberto Mancini has called up Samuele Ricci, midfielder for Como, to join the group in the coming hours.
Also returning to the national team fold is Torino midfielder Rolando Mandragora, who commented on social media that his team "want and demand more from ourselves" after their 1-1 comeback draw at Bologna. Mandragora will temporarily leave his club to answer Mancini's call, returning to the Azzurri setup after a five-year absence. Italy faces Belgium on 25 September, Turkey on 28 September and 5 October, and France on 2 October.
Nicolò Zaniolo, speaking to Juventus's YouTube channel after the Udinese-Cagliari match, expressed mixed feelings about his club result but joy at his national team recall. "Being called up to the national team was my dream," Zaniolo said. "The Italy shirt has enormous prestige, I can't wait to be at Coverciano." The striker had not featured for his country since September 2023 before this call-up.
Juve director backs Spalletti after Europa League debut
Ricky Massara, Juventus's Chief Football Officer, declared the club has "total confidence in Spalletti" just after the team's Europa League bow. Speaking to Sky Sport Italia, Massara said the club believes that with work, the growth process can happen quickly. "We all at Juve have a duty not to minimize even a point lost, but also an obligation to do calm analysis," Massara stated. "And these analyses start from a certainty: that the team is in excellent hands. The club has total confidence in the coach and the team itself." Spalletti was appointed Juventus head coach on 30 October 2025, with Massara joining the club's management in July 2026.
Historic semifinal awaits women's Under-20 team
On Wednesday, 23 September at 15:00, Italy's women's Under-20 team faces Spain in their World Cup semifinal — a match that could deliver something no Italian women's national team has ever achieved under FIFA: a place in a World Cup final. The Azzurrine reached this stage by beating South Korea 3-1 in the quarterfinals. Italy had never before advanced past the group stage in this competition, having only qualified twice previously, in 2004 and 2012.
FIGC president Giovanni Malagò wrote: "We are in the semifinal. Keep going like this, girls." The only previous global podium for an Italian women's team came in 2014, when the Under-17 side finished third at their World Cup in Costa Rica. The technical commissioner of the women's senior national team, Andrea Soncin, called the achievement "indescribable emotion" and praised the group's "sacrifice, dedication, resilience and pure talent."
Como goalkeeper earns first France call-up
Jean Butez, the 31-year-old goalkeeper for Como, received his first call-up to the French national team to replace the injured Robin Risser. The French technical staff announced that Risser would miss the upcoming Nations League matches and that Butez, who joined Como in winter 2025, would enter the first squad named by new France manager Zinédine Zidane. Butez joins Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan and Guillaume Restes in the selection.
Zidane's staff has introduced a new policy: injured players called up will no longer travel to Clairefontaine for medical examinations. The decision regarding Risser was made in agreement with his club, RC Lens. Butez becomes the second Como player called up by Zidane, alongside Lucas Da Cunha — a notable recognition for a club that finished fourth in Serie A last season and is now competing in the Champions League.
Wesley withdraws from Brazil squad with muscle injury
Brazil forward Wesley will remain at Roma's training ground in Trigoria for treatment after reporting a muscle complaint in his right thigh, which he felt after yesterday's Roma-Inter match. The player had been called up by Brazil but will now miss the upcoming international window in order to recover for the resumption of league play.
