Giacomo Raspadori Withdraws from Italy's Nations League Squad Ahead of France Clash

Giacomo Raspadori, the forward for Atalanta, will miss Italy’s upcoming UEFA Nations League games against France and Turkiye. The player withdrew due to an injury that forced him to leave the national team camp early after medical checks confirmed he was unfit to play.

Injury Forces Early Exit

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) announced on Tuesday evening that Raspadori would return to his club, ending his participation in the international break. This decision followed thorough evaluations by the Azzurri medical team, which concluded that Raspadori could not compete in the demanding fixtures ahead.

Raspadori had to leave the pitch at halftime during Italy’s 4-1 Nations League win over Turkiye, adding to Italy’s fitness worries after Nicolo Zaniolo left camp prior to that match.

Federation Statement and Upcoming Fixtures

The federation clarified, "Giacomo Raspadori was given complete rest. The Atalanta forward underwent medical tests and, after confirming he will be unavailable for the upcoming matches, will return to his club."

He will miss the much-anticipated trip to face Zinedine Zidane’s France at the Stade de France this Friday, October 2, as well as the home match against Turkiye in Bologna on October 5.

Adjustments at Coverciano Training Base

Despite the setback, the atmosphere among the squad remains upbeat following their strong victory in Bursa. The team returned to Coverciano to prepare for the French encounter. Coach Roberto Mancini divided training sessions to manage the workload of key players who played heavily against Turkiye.

Starters focused on recovery while other squad members and those who didn't travel to Turkiye engaged in intense tactical drills. The team practiced attack-versus-defence exercises using the facilities at Fiorentina’s Viola Park. This approach aims to keep the squad fresh for the Saint-Denis match despite missing one attacker.

Managing Forward Line Challenges

Italy’s scoring efficiency has been questioned recently. Although the four-goal performance against Turkiye eased some pressure, losing a player known for movement and technical skills like Raspadori is a challenge. Mancini now faces the choice of calling up a replacement or trusting the current squad depth.

• UEFA Nations League A Match: France vs Italy
• Date: October 2, 2026
• Time: 21:45