Federico Gatti earns Italy recall for Nations League games against France and Belgium

Federico Gatti has been added to Italy’s squad for their final two UEFA Nations League group matches against France and Belgium.

The Juventus defender has been called up by manager Roberto Mancini to replace Roma centre-back Gianluca Mancini, who is injured. Mancini had initially selected 18-year-old Udinese defender Matteo Palma as cover, but has now opted for Gatti’s greater experience.

Gatti did not have to travel far to join the national-team camp, having been involved for Juventus in their 2-2 draw with Fiorentina in Serie A.

The 28-year-old has won eight international caps for Italy. His most recent appearance came in the penalty shootout defeat by Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup qualifying play-off on 31 March 2026.

Gatti has played nine matches for Juventus this season across Serie A and the Europa League, scoring one goal and providing one assist.

Italy will host France at San Siro on Thursday, 12 November, before travelling to Brussels to face Belgium on Sunday, 15 November. The fixtures complete their Group A campaign in League A of the UEFA Nations League.

Italy squad

Goalkeepers: Marco Carnesecchi (Atalanta), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City), Guglielmo Vicario (Juventus).

Defenders: Onest Ahanor (Crystal Palace), Alessandro Bastoni (Inter), Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal), Federico Dimarco (Inter), Federico Gatti (Juventus), Daniele Ghilardi (Roma), Michael Kayode (Brentford), Marco Balestra (Chelsea), Matteo Palma (Udinese), Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta).

Midfielders: Nicolo Barella (Inter), Riccardo Cassano (Como), Issa Doumbia (Sporting Lisbon), Nicolo Fagioli (Fiorentina), Davide Frattesi (Lazio), Simone Lontani (Parma), Nicolo Pisilli (Roma), Samuele Ricci (Como), Alessandro Romano (Cagliari), Sandro Tonali (Tottenham).

Forwards: Nicolo Cambiaghi (Bologna), Alfadjo Cisse (AC Milan), Francesco Pio Esposito (Inter), Sebastiano Esposito (Sassuolo), Luca Koleosho (Paris FC), Mattia Liberali (Como), Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta), Antonio Vergara (Napoli), Nicolo Zaniolo (Udinese).