Matteo Ruggeri waits for senior Italy debut after Belgium omission

Aston Villa defender Matteo Ruggeri must wait to make his senior Italy debut after being left out of the 23-man matchday squad to face Belgium. Italy manager Roberto Mancini omitted the 24-year-old left-back for Friday night's Nations League opener, though Ruggeri remains with the national team camp during the international window.

Ruggeri earned a late call-up to the squad after Federico Dimarco withdrew due to injury. The Italian Football Federation summoned Ruggeri following his breakthrough into Aston Villa's starting lineup, where he covered for injured teammate Ian Maatsen in recent victories against Coventry City and Tottenham.