Barella stays home: Mancini leaves midfielder and ten others in Italy for Turkey match

Roberto Mancini made a surprising choice regarding the match against Turkey. The head coach decided not to call up ten of the 33 players in the squad for the trip to Bursa. They will stay at the Federal Technical Center in Coverciano to continue their preparation. Among those not traveling is Nicolò Barella, alongside other squad members. This decision aims to prevent an overly demanding transfer for all players and to manage energy levels effectively for upcoming fixtures.

The coaching staff is also split into two groups. One part will accompany the team to Turkey, while the other will remain in Italy to work with the ten players excluded from the trip. The goal is to be in optimal condition for the next matches against France in Paris and the subsequent game against Turkey, scheduled for Bologna.

The FIGC clarified the decision in an official statement: "To avoid subjecting the entire squad to a tiring transfer to Turkey, 10 of the 33 called-up players will remain to train in Coverciano with a portion of the staff in preparation for the trip to France and the match against the Turks in Bologna."

The national team is set to depart for Bursa. Tomorrow evening (local time 21:45, Italian time 20:45 – live on Rai 1), they will face Turkey at the Atatürk Spor Kompleksi in their second Nations League group match.

To best manage preparation for the upcoming games against France in Paris and another match against Turkey in Bologna, and to avoid an arduous journey for the entire squad to Turkey, Coach Roberto Mancini has arranged a specific training program at the Federal Technical Center in Coverciano for Honest Ahanor, Nicolò Barella, Diego Coppola, Samuele Inacio, Eddy Kouadio, Daniel Maldini, Gianluca Mancini, Massimo Pessina, Samuele Ricci, and Mohamed Alì Zoma. A segment of the technical and performance staff (Massimo Maccarone, Cristiano Lupatelli, Giulio Nuciari, and Luca Bossi), along with medical and physiotherapy personnel, will be available to them.

Barella is among the notable names on this list. He will not be available against Turkey but can continue training in Coverciano under a program specifically designed by the Italian staff. This approach is primarily forward-looking, considering the tight schedule and the need to preserve players for subsequent commitments.