Mancini picks Pio Esposito to lead Italy against Belgium

Italy's coach has already settled on his starting striker for the Nations League opener.

F. Esposito

player

View profile →

Player

Francesco Pio Esposito

Position

Striker

Team

Italy

Opponent

Belgium

Competition

Nations League

What happened. Multiple Italian sources report that Francesco Pio Esposito will start as Italy's centre-forward in Friday's Nations League match against Belgium. Mancini tested a 4-3-3 in training, with Esposito expected to lead the line as a lone striker.

Mancini has called up 34 players for matches against Belgium, France and Turkey.
Esposito has scored five goals in nine Italy appearances, averaging one every 93.6 minutes.
He signed a contract extension with the Nerazzurri until June 2032 earlier this month.

Italy open their Nations League campaign against Belgium on Friday, with Esposito set for a key attacking role.

In this story