Mancini calls up 31 players: four Italy debutants for France and Belgium
The head coach has announced his squad for the Nations League double-header. Among the new faces are Cassano, Lontani, Cisse and Liberali, who will however join their respective youth national teams.
Roberto Mancini has announced his 31-player squad for the Nations League matches against France at the San Siro and Belgium away. The selection reflects a deliberate strategy by the head coach: balancing the experience of established players with young talents to build for the future. The mix of present needs and longer-term prospects is evident in the diversity of his choices, ranging from seasoned professionals to rising talents.
Four players make their senior national team debut. In midfield, attention falls on Como's 2009-born Riccardo Cassano and Parma's 2008-born Simone Lontani; in attack, Milan's 2006-born Alphadjo Cisse and Como's 2007-born Mattia Liberali join the fold. Cassano and Lontani, according to the Italian Football Federation, will not remain for the entire squad gathering: in the coming days they will join the Under 18 and Under 19 national teams respectively, committed to the U-17 World Cup in Qatar starting November 19 and to the U-19 European qualifiers second phase in the Marche region (November 11-17).
The call-up represents a direct observation opportunity for these four players under Mancini's watch, allowing the head coach to monitor their development closely. A tactical move that enables the selection to evaluate emerging profiles without compromising preparation for important international fixtures.