In a year marked by difficult events, Italy regained elements of stability by defeating Turkey in a recent international match. Before facing the French team at the Stade de France, coach Roberto Mancini sent encouraging signals during his team's first two matches of the international window. New elements seem to be emerging, although more time will be needed to obtain certainty. The youngest players may have difficulty believing it, but there was a time, not so distant, when Italy had a good football team. Three consecutive failures to qualify for the World Cup and elimination in the quarterfinals of the Euro 2024 created a tense atmosphere within the Italian squad. Fans were disappointed to see their national team face Luxembourg with players from Serie B in early June, while countries like Haiti, Curaçao, or Uzbekistan prepared for the World Cup. After the rain comes the sunshine, as the saying goes in France. Italy has its version – dopo la pioggia viene il sole – and some improvements seem to be on the horizon. In the first two matches of this international window, a beginning of structure was visible. Only three players started against Belgium and Turkey: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Sandro Tonali, and Pio Esposito. The first two mentioned have been regular starters for some time. In contrast, Esposito, who turned 21 in June, brings a welcome freshness to the Italian attack. He has scored eight goals in Serie A since January, and his playing time continues to rise at Inter. In the national team as well: he has already scored six goals in eleven appearances and has recently started four matches in a row. Clearly the rising star who, on paper, must embody the Italian revival. Roberto Mancini has given a chance to Michael Kayode (22 years old), and the right-back from Brentford has fully seized it against Turkey: involved in Frattesi's goal, he also scored and demonstrated all his desire (11 km covered). Potentially a serious competitor for Giovanni Di Lorenzo, who was seen struggling against Belgium's Mika Godts. Another new face: midfielder Issa Doumbia (22 years old). On Monday evening, while his namesake Frenchman was preparing to continue with Philippe Lucas, Élodie Gossuin, or Stomy Bugsy for the show Wanted, he was chasing balls in Bursa. Followed by Napoli, he finally signed with Sporting this summer. Impressive in power, he immediately settled into the Lisbon team. In the meantime, perhaps, to find his place in that of the Nazionale. Where Zinédine Zidane favored a tight group, Roberto Mancini established a list of 34 players for this international break. Nine of them had never been called up: Massimo Pessina, Daniele Ghilardi, Michael Kayode, Eddy Kouadio, Alessandro Romano, Issa Doumbia, Sebastiano Esposito, Antonio Vergara, and Mohamed Ali Zoma. The door is clearly open to youth, notably symbolized by the attacking midfielder Samuele Inácio (18 years old), who is slowly making his way at Borussia Dortmund. Almost 26 years old, Nicolò Fagioli no longer fully belongs to the "young" category, but the midfielder from Fiorentina has regained his form in recent months and recently provided a good performance in Turkey. The defeat against Belgium reminded that there was work to do to approach the highest international level. Totally outmatched, the Italians had faced 11 shots only in the first half hour and it took a great Gianluigi Donnarumma to prevent a disaster. But the trip to Turkey brought back some life. And when there is life, there is hope.