Federico Dimarco Withdraws from Italy's Nations League Squad

Federico Dimarco has pulled out of Italy’s latest Nations League squad, with Aston Villa wing-back Matteo Ruggeri drafted in as his replacement.

The FIGC confirmed on Monday that the Inter left-sided defender, reigning Serie A MVP, reported to Coverciano but was forced to withdraw after medical checks showed he had not fully recovered from a physical issue sustained with his club.

“Following the medical test carried out at Coverciano, Inter defender Federico Dimarco, who has not recovered from a physical issue he suffered with his club, is unavailable for the upcoming national team commitments and will leave the camp in the next few hours,” read the federation’s statement. “In his place, Roberto Mancini has called up Aston Villa defender Matteo Ruggeri.”

It is the second enforced change to Roberto Mancini’s squad in 24 hours. On Sunday evening, Roma midfielder Bryan Cristante was ruled out with a physical problem and replaced by Como’s Samuele Ricci.

Mancini’s new era, his first camp since being re-appointed CT earlier in the summer, had already carried a sense of reset. He named nine debutants in Friday’s original list, including Michael Kayode, Antonio Vergara, Alessandro Romano, Issa Doumbia and Mohamed Ali Zoma, signalling a bold refresh around the core of established internationals.

Now he must navigate this demanding Nations League block without one of his most influential outlets on the left flank. Italy began assembling in camp on Sunday night ahead of four fixtures in quick succession: Belgium on September 25, Turkiye on September 28, France on October 2 and Turkiye again on October 5.

Ruggeri, formerly of Atalanta and now with Aston Villa in the Premier League, steps into a defensive unit that already blends youth and experience. The latest Italy squad, after the withdrawals of Dimarco and Cristante, is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Marco Carnesecchi (Atalanta), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City), Massimo Pessina (Bologna), Guglielmo Vicario (Juventus)
Defenders: Honest Ahanor (Crystal Palace), Alessandro Bastoni (Inter), Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal), Diego Coppola (Paris FC), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Daniele Ghilardi (Roma), Michael Kayode (Brentford), Eddy Kouadio (Monza), Gianluca Mancini (Roma), Matteo Ruggeri (Aston Villa), Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta)
Midfielders: Nicolò Barella (Inter), Issa Doumbia (Sporting CP), Nicolò Fagioli (Fiorentina), Davide Frattesi (Lazio), Rolando Mandragora (Torino), Samuele Ricci (Como), Alessandro Romano (Cagliari), Sandro Tonali (Newcastle)

With Dimarco heading home and Ruggeri handed his chance, Mancini’s reshaped Italy will be tested immediately against high-level opposition.