The Azzurri will not play a friendly during the break, but they will gather at Coverciano for three days. Mario Balotelli will make his Italy return after seven years. Roberto Mancini has called up 35 men for the minicamp.
There will be a few new faces within the group. The Federation has completed the procedure to enlist Joao Pedro and Luiz Felipe, who are now eligible. Instead, Roma’s Roger Ibanez is not available yet. On top of the two Brazilian-born, the other rookies are Davide Frattesi, Samuele Ricci, Marco Carnesecchi, Giorgio Scalvini and Nicolò Fagioli.
#Nazionale ??
? Il Ct #Mancini convoca 35 #Azzurri per lo stage in programma dal 26 al 28 gennaio a #Coverciano
I dettagli ?? https://t.co/vD9kBSC5vT#VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/T3DbIK0PUi
— Nazionale Italiana ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri) January 24, 2022
A few regulars that are currently dealing with injuries, for instance Leonardo Bonucci, Lorenzo Pellegrini, and Andrea Belotti, will touch base to do only tactical work. On top of Balotelli, also Luca Pellegrini, Stefano Sensi and Mattia Zaccagni are back in the Italy squad after some time. However, they had not been away from the team for as long as the former Inter and Milan striker.
The Azzurri will try to punch their ticket to the 2022 World Cup in late March. In order to qualify, they will have to beat North Macedonia and then the winner of the clash between Portugal and Turkey.
Balotelli commented on his Italy return before the news became official to Brescia In Goal: “I am eager. It is always nice to be called up by the national team. I am 31, and so I am still young. The normalcy for me should be to be included in the Azzurri roster and not the other way around.”