Fallen giants Italy return to action next month, completely battered and beleaguered. Because the former champions missed out on qualifying for the FIFA World Cup for the third time in a row following a disastrous implosion in the playoff finals.
What was widely expected to finish in a routine win for the Azzurri in Zenica, turned into a nightmare as Bosnia & Herzegovina prevailed 4-1 on penalties after Pio Esposito and Bryan Cristiante missed their spot-kicks for Italy.
As the hosts broke into bacchanalic celebrations upon securing just their second World Cup qualification, a pall of gloom descended upon the opposite camp as Gennaro Gattusso and co. were dealt yet another heartbreak.
After having missed the 2018 and 2022 editions, Italy, the four-time world champions, were going to remain absent from the 2026 tournament too as their worst fears came true. A triple-whammy for the European powerhouse.
Italy call-up Dortmund trio
With Gattusso stepping down after the disappointment, youth coach Silvio Baldini is the caretaker manager and he's called up a young side for their upcoming friendlies to Luxembourg and Greece on 4 and 6 June, respectively.
Among those selected are three of Borussia Dortmund's starlets, Samuele Inacio, Luca Reggiani and Filippo Mane, all of whom are in line to make their international debuts for the Blues.
Speaking of Inacio, the 18-year-old starlet was handed his first BVB start earlier this month and he marked the occasion with a goal too, signaling his romising talents.
Mane, who got sent off for Dortmund in their opening game of the 2025-26 Bundesliga season, played just 47 more minutes in the first-half of the campaign before succumbing to a muscle injury.
Despite his lack of playing time and seeing his progress at the club stalled by injuries, Mane has received his first senior call-up with Italy.
After spending the first half of last term with their reserve side, Reggiani was summoned by head coach Niko Kovac for their first team in February.
Since then, he didn't look back. Reggiani ended up with eight appearances in total, including a start in their last three league games of the season while scoring in their 2-0 win over Augsburg too.
All this certainly helped the young gun make a case for Italy's senior call-up which has now come true with Baldini likely to field him in defense with Inacio taking up attacking role in midfield.
Mane should get some gametime too, perhaps off the bench.
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