Mancini travels to England, Leoni's return still awaited

Italy head coach Roberto Mancini travelled to England in recent weeks in the hope of seeing Giovanni Leoni back on the pitch. However, the return of Liverpool's Italian defender from an anterior cruciate ligament injury has been delayed, and the player's return to action has been postponed.

Leoni suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in September 2025 and has been away from the pitch for over a year. Andoni Iraola said last month that Leoni would return to group training during the long break between September and October. However, the recovery process has taken longer than expected, and the player is not yet ready for match action.

Mancini is reportedly hoping that Liverpool's doctors will give the defender the green light after the November international break. Leoni was first called up to the Italy squad under Gennaro Gattuso in September 2025, but a few weeks later he injured his cruciate ligament in his first match for Liverpool. The player has yet to make an official appearance for the senior national team and has one match for Liverpool.