Italy head coach Roberto Mancini has named his 23-man squad ahead of their UEFA Nations League semi-final clash at home against Spain on October 6.
The Azzurri, who beat the Spaniards in the semi-finals at Euro 2020 on their way to glory, will be looking to extend a world-record unbeaten run of 36 international matches when they host Luis Enrique's side at San Siro.
Mancini has named a similar squad that lifted the Euro 2020 trophy in July, with only four players missing out due to injury.
#Nazionale 🇮🇹
— Nazionale Italiana ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri) September 30, 2021
📋 I 23 #Azzurri convocati dal Ct #Mancini per la semifinale di #NationsLeague contro la #Spagna 🇪🇸
I dettagli 👉🏻 https://t.co/pZc8WBKqRT#VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/YRwNZAFoaE
Leonardo Spinazzola continues his recovery from an Achilles tendon injury, while Alessandro Florenzi is set to be ruled out for up to a month as he required surgery on a knee problem.
Only seven defenders have been selected in Mancini's 23-man squad, with Napoli's Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Lyon's Emerson Palmieri the only natural full-backs selected. Central defenders Francesco Acerbi, Alessandro Bastoni, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini and Rafael Toloi all retain their places in the squad.
Ever-present midfield trio Jorginho, Nicolo Barella and Marco Veratti have all been selected once again, however Fiorentina midfielder Gaetano Castrovilli misses out this month due to a chest injury. Roma's Lorenzo Pellegrini – who was ruled out of Euro 2020 due to injury – will be hoping he can force his way into the starting lineup this month now that he is fully fit.
Torino striker Andrea Belotti, who has not played since the end of August, remains out with a foot injury, so Ciro Immobile and Giacomo Raspadori are the two central striking options at Mancini's disposal. Wide forwards Domenico Berardi, Federico Bernardeschi, Federico Chiesa and Lorenzo Insigne keep their places in the senior squad, with at least two of these expected to start against Spain.
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