Headline: Alessandro Florenzi Highlights Emerging Italian Talents in Serie A
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Alessandro Florenzi has identified Como’s Mattia Liberali and Inter’s Leonardo Bovio as two of the most promising young Italian players to keep an eye on in Serie A this season. The Euro 2020 champion expressed confidence that Roberto Mancini will achieve positive results with the Azzurri in a recent interview with Repubblica, focusing on the future of the national team and its top prospects.
Florenzi specifically highlighted Liberali and Bovio, noting their impressive performances during recent summer friendlies. He emphasized the importance of patience in developing young talent, stating, “In any case, boys should not be attacked at the first mistake, or considered the saviours of the Fatherland.” He suggested that the new national team should feature a balanced mix of youth and experience, which is crucial for instilling the significance of wearing the blue jersey.
Mancini has returned to lead the Azzurri in a second term as head coach. Florenzi praised Mancini’s previous success, recalling, “He was like an older brother during the Euros, always ready for dialogue. He was a phenomenon in the way he managed the group.” The ex-defender acknowledged Mancini’s ability to identify talent and get results, recalling a remarkable unbeaten streak of 37 matches under his management.
In organizational changes, Claudio Ranieri has taken over as the new technical director, succeeding Paolo Maldini, who held the position for just two weeks. Florenzi expressed admiration for Ranieri, saying, “It’s a valuable choice.” He praised the contributions of Malagò, suggesting that contrary to some claims, the decisions made were not based solely on personal relationships.
Florenzi hopes that Ranieri can revitalize youth football in Italy, expressing his belief in the former manager’s experience to make necessary changes. He remarked, “Once he understands where to take action, he can revolutionise the situation.”
Reflecting on the recent transitions within management, Florenzi noted that he was not surprised by Maldini’s resignation, particularly following the decision not to appoint Andrea Pirlo as the next coach. He stated, “Any choice would have been criticised. But maybe they had seen beyond the nose. If you choose Maldini, close your eyes and go straight with him.” Florenzi admired Maldini’s approach to leadership and vision for change, stating, “He sensed a lack of trust and, out of coherence, he took a step back.”
Alessandro Florenzi says Como’s Mattia Liberali and Inter’s Leonardo Bovio will be among the most interesting young Italian players to watch in Serie A this season, and he is confident Roberto Mancini will ‘get results’ with the Azzurri.
Euro 2020 Italy winner Florenzi gave an interview to Repubblica, talking about the future of the national team and the best prospects in Serie A.
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Among those, he named two in particular: “Como’s Liberali and Bovio, the Inter defender, who impressed me during the summer friendlies.
COMO, ITALY – JULY 29: Mattia Liberali of Como 1907 in action during the Como Cup 2026 match between Villarreal CF and Como 1907 at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on July 29, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“In any case, boys should not be attacked at the first mistake, or considered the saviours of the Fatherland,” noted the ex-defender.
“The new national team must be like ours, a mix of young and experienced players, who convey what it means to wear the blue jersey. So we can do something special again.”
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Mancini has returned for a second stint as the Azzurri coach.
JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA – OCTOBER 15: Roberto Mancini coach of Saudi Arabia reacts during the FIFA World Cup Asian 3rd Qualifier Group C match between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain at King Abdullah Sports City on October 15, 2024 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
“He was like an older brother [during the Euros], always ready for the dialogue,” Florenzi said.
“He was a phenomenon in the way he managed the group.
“He knows how to identify young players and how to get results. We had been unbeaten for 37 in a row; it was not customary. There was hard work behind it.”
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Claudio Ranieri, another ex-coach of Florenzi, has been appointed as the new technical director, replacing Paolo Maldini, who kept his role for just two weeks.
“Ranieri is a person I love, like Maldini and Leonardo. It’s a valuable choice,” Florenzi said.
“Those who say Malagò only chose his friends make me smile. He did great things at CONI; he doesn’t want Italy’s evil. I hope Ranieri can re-establish the entire youth football chain. He has experience; once he understands where to take action, he can revolutionise the situation.”
Italy technical director Paolo Maldini, special advisor Leonardo, FIGC President Giovanni Malagò and Lega Serie A President Ezio Simonelli (figc.it)
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Florenzi won the Scudetto with Milan in 2021-22, with Maldini among the Rossoneri directors. Surely, Florenzi is not surprised that Maldini stepped down after learning that the FIGC would not appoint Andrea Pirlo as the new coach.
“Any choice would have been criticised. But maybe they had seen beyond the nose. If you choose Maldini, close your eyes and go straight with him,” Florenzi said.
“It wouldn’t have been him [if he hadn’t resigned]. Paolo needs to do things in his own way. He takes responsibility, and he does it at his best. He sensed a lack of trust and, out of coherence, he took a step back. He spoke about Cruyff and how he changed Spanish football. He wanted to do it in Italy as well and, to me, he could have made it.”
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