Mancini names pre-Euro friendly team; Scotland’s McBurnie ruled out
- Last updated: May 18, 2021 | 23:25 ..
Italy coach Roberto Mancini on Monday named a 33-man squad for a pre-Euro 2020 friendly with San Marino after signing a new deal with the national team that runs until June 2026.
The ‘Azzurri’ face San Marino on May 28 in the Sardinian city of Cagliari in one of their final two tests before kicking off the European Championship against Turkey in Rome on June 11.
They will then face the Czech Republic in Bologna on June 4, by which time Mancini will have named his 26-man squad for the continent-wide tournament.
Mancini gave Sassuolo forward Giacomo Raspadori his first senior call-up, while Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti has been selected despite picking up a knee injury that could yet rule him out of the Euro. Veteran Juventus defenders Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci are also included.
Former Italy forward Mancini’s new deal will keep him as coach until after the 2026 World Cup, being held in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
He took over in May 2018 and was charged with helping his country forget the humilation of failing to qualify for that year’s World Cup.
He coached Italy to 11 straight wins in 2019, breaking a record that had stood since the 1930s.
Meanwhile, Scotland striker Oli McBurnie ruled himself out of next month’s European Championships on Monday after accepting he would not be fit in time. McBurnie has been sidelined since breaking a bone in his foot during Sheffield United’s Premier League match with Arsenal on April 11.
Now, just days before Scotland are set to finalise their squad, the 24-year-old announced he would not be involved in Euro 2020, delayed from last year as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
“I’m devastated that I suffered a fractured metatarsal which ruled me out for the rest of the season and has unfortunately ruled me out for the euros,” McBurnie wrote on Twitter.
“Not to be able to go to that tournament with the boys is heartbreaking for me. Thank you for all your messages and support.”
Sweden turn to Jordan without injured Ibra: Sweden coach Janne Andersson named Henrik Larsson’s son Jordan in his squad for Euro 2020 on Tuesday, with veteran striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic ruled out of the tournament with a knee injury.
Spartak Moscow forward Jordan Larsson, 23, has made only five international appearances but joins fellow youngsters Dejan Kulusevski and Alexander Isak in the 26-man squad.
Agence France-Presse