Matteo Ruggeri will have to wait for his senior Italy debut after the Aston Villa defender was left out of the matchday squad to face Belgium.
Ruggeri received a late call-up after Federico Dimarco withdrew through injury, but Football Italia reports that Roberto Mancini has omitted the 24-year-old from his 23-man group for Friday night’s Nations League opener.
It does not mean Ruggeri has left the Italy camp.
Mancini selected an unusually large squad for the international window, leaving several available players outside the matchday group against Belgium.
Matteo Ruggeri waits for Italy debut
Ruggeri’s call-up followed an encouraging run of Aston Villa performances after Ian Maatsen’s injury opened the door at left-back.
The summer signing started Villa’s Carabao Cup victory over Coventry City before retaining his place in the 3-2 Premier League win at Tottenham.
Our analysis of Ruggeri’s Aston Villa breakthrough looked at how he has responded to Maatsen’s absence.
The Italian Football Federation confirmed Ruggeri’s call-up after Dimarco withdrew.
Ruggeri still has further opportunities to earn his first cap during the break, with Italy continuing their Nations League schedule after the Belgium game.
His status will also be followed in our Aston Villa international-break tracker.
For now, his senior Italy debut remains on hold rather than off the table.
