Euro 2020 winner set to lose Italy starting spot after international break
BOLOGNA - OCTOBER 05: Roberto Mancini, Manager of Italy, looks on before the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Italy and Türkiye at Renato Dall'Ara Stadium on October 05, 2026 in Bologna. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Napoli defender Giovanni Di Lorenzo is likely to lose his starting spot at right-back as Italy’s right-back after impressive performances from Michael Kayode during the international break spanning September and October.
Di Lorenzo, who turned 33 this past August, was part of the Azzurri squad that won the Euros in 2021 and had retained his starting spot over the last few years amid protests from some fans.
The Napoli right-back started in Italy’s first game during the break, at home against Belgium, but was replaced for the second match against Turkiye, and the outcome left little room for misjudgment.
Di Lorenzo was replaced by Brentford defender Kayode, who not only scored in his senior Azzurri debut, but also retained his starting spot in the following match against France, going on to become the fifth player with the most minutes played for Italy across the last four matches.
After a poor performance against Belgium, watching the Azzurri in action from round 2 was as exciting as trying your luck at Spree social casino.
Kayode had an immediate impact with the Azzurri, and his performances suggest that he’ll be a regular in the Nazionale XI going forward, perhaps battling it out with Chelsea’s newcomer Marco Palestra, who made his senior international debut in March 2026.
Not many know Kayode is a former Juventus academy player, but the Bianconeri didn’t retain him at 16, forcing the promising defender to play in Italy’s fourth division, Serie D.
“Obviously, going from a professional club like Juventus to Gozzano was completely different, but that experience gave me the strength to reach these levels and fight for something,” Kayode said at a press conference attended by Football Italia during the break.
“That Serie D season when I was 16 helped me a lot. It’s advice I also give to younger players: don’t despair, and don’t be afraid to drop down a level to get playing time and improve.
“With Antonio Soda’s trust, I played many games, and I have to thank him for that. My family have always supported me. They drove me around everywhere, and if I’m here today, it’s also thanks to them.
“If I’m here, it’s also thanks to them,” he continued, “because they gave me the strength to get back to this level. I have no regrets about anything, and I’m happy with where I am now.”
Kayode isn’t exactly a new face for those watching Italy closely at all levels. The Brentford defender already made headlines in 2023 by scoring the winning goal in the U21 European Championship Final against Portugal, helping the Azzurrini lift the trophy for the first time.
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