Italy continue their 2026-27 UEFA Nations League campaign in Paris on Friday as Roberto Mancini's side face France at the Saint-Denis for matchday three.
The Azzurri lost their first match under the new manager 2-0 to Belgium in Rome last week, but recovered to crush Turkey 4-1 on the road.
With three points in two games, the Euro 2020 champions are in third place of Group 1 in League A and as things stand, will be heading into the relegation playoffs.
It could get worse tomorrow if Italy drop points again, as France are quitely adapting to life under Zinedine Zidane following a pair of 1-0 wins over Belgium and Turkey.
Tomorrow, however, will be Zidane's official homecoming as the new Blues coach. Mancini will be looking to spoil the occasion as he's made a few changes to his squad.
Inacio still missing
Italy wrapped up their preparations for the match at Coverciano today morning and will be flying to Paris this noon for their game which kicks-off tomorrow evening.
As with the case in their last two fixtures too, Mancini has decided not to carry the whole squad with him, but the return of Nicolo Barella and Daniel Maldini are among the highlights.
Nine players are set to remain in Italy though, among whom is Borussia Dortmund's Samuele Inacio. The 18-year-old hasn't played either of their matches so far and will now miss for the third straight time.
He was among the 34 players summoned by Mancini in his extended squad for the four-game marathon this international window, but is yet to make it into the matchday squad, let alone grace the field.
Goal further reports that each of these nine players did not train with the rest of the group this morning and will instead have a session with the coaching and performance staff of Massimo Maccarone, Cristiano Lupatelli, Giulio Nuciari and Luca Bossi.
Inacio to play on 5 October?
Italy would have one more game to play after tomorrow, which is at home against Turkey on 5 October. The fixture presents Inacio's last chance to feature for the Azzurri in this international window.
Perhaps, Mancini was looking to achieve the maximum number of points from their first three games, two of which includes heavyweights Belgium and France.
Playing young and inexperienced players in those fixtures would have carried enormous risk. Against Turkey at home, Italy are favorites to prevail. They also have the home advantage.
Hopefully, we'll get to see Inacio on the final day of the international games.
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