Italy’s senior national team will get younger as promising Under-21 players move up, according to Roberto Mancini. Speaking to Sky at the Vialli Award ceremony, the Italy manager said the squad’s average age will drop in the coming months, with fresh talent from the U21s expected to join the senior setup.
Mancini reflected on Italy’s recent UEFA Nations League performances, which included a loss to Belgium but showed signs of improvement against Turkey and France. “How do I rate Italy? I think we need balance; the first match wasn’t a disaster, and it’s not incredible at this moment,” he said. “We need to have balance: the team needs to grow; it’s a young team that will become even younger as the months go by, and it also needs to make mistakes. We need to maintain balance, I think that’s the best thing.”
The Under-21 squad’s recent success caught Mancini’s attention. They secured direct qualification for the European Championship, a result he described as “positive.” He also congratulated coach Paolo Baldini for the work with the young players. “There will certainly be many good lads who will come to the national team,” Mancini added.
Several young players have already made an impression in the senior squad. Michael Kayode stood out recently, while Issa Doumbia grabbed a chance against Turkey. Antonio Vergara and Alessandro Romano have also shown their skills in midfield, suggesting the next generation is ready to step up.
Italy’s approach under Mancini appears to be one of gradual evolution rather than rapid overhaul. The manager emphasised the importance of allowing younger players space to learn and make mistakes as they adapt to senior international football. That balance between experience and youth is something Mancini sees as necessary for sustainable progress.
The U21s’ qualification success offers a pool of talent ready to bolster the senior team. With players like Kayode and Doumbia already involved, Mancini’s plan to integrate more youngsters seems underway. The coach’s remarks underline a clear strategy to refresh the squad while maintaining competitive standards.
Mancini’s comments came shortly after Italy’s Nations League fixtures during the international break, where the team faced a mixed set of results but showed signs of development. The acknowledgement of the U21s’ achievements and the anticipation of their future contribution to the senior team provide a concrete indication of Italy’s direction.
For now, the senior squad will continue to balance youth and experience as it prepares for upcoming fixtures, with Mancini confident the team’s age profile will trend downward as new talent arrives.
According to Yahoo Sports.
