'I'm here to win': Italy boss Mancini targeting fresh start on return to Azzurri

[p]Mancini led the Azzurri to the Euro 2020 title during his previous spell in charge.[/p][p]But they failed to reach the 2022 World Cup and he resigned the following year to take over the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/saudi-arabia/biSY8ox4/"]Saudi Arabia[/a] national side.[/p][p]The four-time world champions have missed out on the past three World Cups and have not played a knock-out stage match at the tournament since losing the 2006 final to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/france/QkGeVG1n/"]France[/a].[/p][embed guid="8e04e8eb-2b8c-4e6b-b115-2ff51875bcfe" url="https://x.com/Azzurri_En/status/2101004577143169372" social-type="twitter" /][p]Mancini starts his latest reign with a home Nations League game against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/belgium/GbB957na/"]Belgium[/a] [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/belgium-GbB957na/italy-hlKvieGH/?mid=tdpJ30MO"]on Friday[/a].[/p][p][b]"We must not dwell on negative things, when you embark on a new adventure, you're eager to do something special, and over the next four years we'll bring home something special,"[/b] former [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/italy/hlKvieGH/"]Italy[/a] midfielder Mancini told reporters.[/p][p][b]"For me it's a challenge and a new chapter in my career.[/b][/p][p][b]"I'm here to win and that's the objective we all share."[/b][/p][p]Mancini has handed first call-ups to nine players in his 34-man squad for four upcoming games, including 18-year-old Bologna goalkeeper Massimo Pessina and Brentford's 22-year-old right-back Michael Kayode.[/p][p]He added a 10th rookie to his squad on Monday as Aston Villa left-back Matteo Ruggeri replaced the injured Federico Dimarco.[/p][p][b]"I expect them to bring a carefree attitude," [/b]Mancini said.[/p][embed guid="67155aef-be3a-4cf1-a00e-125a50cd72ec" url="https://x.com/Azzurri_En/status/2102035802515489179" social-type="twitter" /][p][b]"I think it's right to have some young players we can get to know in order to build a strong team for the future.[/b][/p][p][b]"We need to understand who can stay with us for this cycle and, with that goal in mind, I've called up a larger group for the four matches we have coming up in such quick succession."[/b][/p][p]After playing Belgium in Rome, Mancini's side face [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/turkey/QeijuHo5/"]Turkey[/a] in Bursa three days later, France at the Stade de France on October 2 and welcome Turkey to Bologna on October 5.[/p][infobox id="5a8fbd57-e97c-4bdc-9f6b-fb0fb254e893" /]