Calafiori out, Bastoni in: Which changes could Italy make after 2-0 Belgium defeat?

Roberto Mancini at the Italy training session in September 2026 (figc.it)

Roberto Mancini’s second stint as head coach of the Italy national team began with a 2-0 defeat at home against Belgium on Friday night, and though the boos from a half-empty Stadio Olimpico left a sour taste, focus is already beginning to shift towards Monday’s test against away against Turkey. So, which changes could the Azzurri potentially make? 

Who could Mancini bring into the Italy XI against Turkey?

Mancini named a squad of 34 players for the extra-long international break in September and early October, and there had been hopes that the returning CT would launch a new-look Italy side following the failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup earlier this year. 

There was, however, disappointment from large sections of Azzurri supporters after seeing the team sheets on Friday night, given that Mancini had stuck with a core of players who had played key roles during Italy’s unsuccessful World Cup qualification campaign, such as Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Gianluca Mancini, Nicolo Barella, Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean. 

La Gazzetta dello Sport suggests that some of these might be left out of the line-up when Italy return to action in just a few days’ time, away against Turkey in Bursa. 

Following his sending off against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup play-off final back in March, Inter centre-back Alessandro Bastoni was suspended for Friday night’s game against Belgium, and is likely to return to the side against Turkey on Monday. He is likely to return in place of Diego Coppola, although Mancini’s place in the team is far from guaranteed either. 

Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori is also likely to be rested when Italy take on Turkey on Monday night. Honest Ahanor and Matteo Ruggeri are the most likely candidates to slot in at left-back if Mancini decides to stick with a back four. Federico Dimarco withdrew from the squad through injury at the start of the week.

The Pink Paper suggests that Michael Kayode could finally be given his full Italy debut in place of Di Lorenzo against Turkey, although this is still not 100% guaranteed. 

Assuming that he is fit to play, Nicolo Zaniolo will be pushing for a starting spot in the Azzurri attack on Monday night. He had been in contention to start against Belgium before being left out of the matchday squad. 

Elsewhere, Giorgio Scalvini, Davide Frattesi, Nicolo Fagioli, Issa Doumbia and Daniel Maldini are among the players who will be hoping to be brought into the starting XI against Turkey on Monday.