Mancini has handed first call-ups to nine players in his 34-man squad for four upcoming games, including 18-year-old Bologna goalkeeper Massimo Pessina and Brentford's 22-year-old right-back Michael Kayode. Portugal’s coach Jorge Jesus looks on during a press conference to announce the list of players for the next Nations League qualifying matches at Cidade do Futebol in Oeiras on September 18, 2026. (Photo by Patricia de Melo Moreira / AFP)Roberto Mancini said on Monday he was eager for a "new adventure" with Italy ahead of the opening game of his second stint as the national team's coach.Mancini led the Azzurri to the Euro 2020 title during his previous spell in charge.But they failed to reach the 2022 World Cup and he resigned the following year to take over the Saudi Arabia national side.The four-time world champions have missed out on the past three World Cups and have not played a knock-out stage match at the tournament since losing the 2006 final to France.Mancini starts his latest reign with a home Nations League game against Belgium on Friday."We must not dwell on negative things, when you embark on a new adventure, you're eager to do something special, and over the next four years we'll bring home something special," former Italy midfielder Mancini told reporters."For me it's a challenge and a new chapter in my career."I'm here to win and that's the objective we all s...
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