Lontani knocks on Mancini's door: Atalanta goal opens Italy's gates
The 18-year-old Parma prospect's masterpiece in Bergamo comes at a critical moment: with Italian forwards dealing with injuries and poor form, the young ex-Milan talent makes his case for the Nations League.
A rare display of technical elegance at the edge of the box has thrust Simone Lontani into contention for an Italy call-up. The Parma prospect, born in 2008, impressed with a gesture of considerable quality: a delightful nutmeg on Mario Pasalic, followed by a perfectly weighted right-footed strike that caught Marco Carnesecchi out. It was far more than a simple winning goal for the Emilians—it was a statement of intent from an attacker developing with each passing match.
The statistics are compelling. Lontani has already scored five goals in eleven official appearances, six of them from the start, maintaining an extraordinary strike rate of one goal every 116 minutes of play. By comparison, Pio Esposito of the national team scores every 256 minutes. The path has been consistent: a brace against Catania in the Copitalia, a leveller against Monza, and now this display of pure elegance.
Roberto Mancini has never hidden his eye for emerging young talent, and the coach had already watched Lontani in person back in September before sending him to the Under-19 squad. Today the landscape has shifted: injuries have ravaged the Italian attack, and even fellow 2008-born prospect Inacio is losing minutes at Borussia Dortmund following a strong start. With Kean, Zoma, Raspadori and Raimondo sidelined for the upcoming matches against France and Belgium, space for a surprise summons is opening up. The Bergamo masterclass could prove to be the catalyst.