Mannini promoted: from U20 snub to Baldini's Under 21 call-up
Benevento's midfielder receives an unexpected call-up to the Italian Under 21 after being excluded from the U20 squad. A recognition that comes directly from coach Silvio Baldini.
A call-up that shifted the balance. Mattia Mannini, excluded from Italy's Under 20 squad, was unexpectedly brought into the Under 21 group by coach Silvio Baldini. A decision representing a genuine promotion for Benevento's midfielder, who had recently captained his previous age category.
Upon receiving news of the call-up, Mannini immediately joined the squad at Tirrenia, where the national team is preparing for friendlies against France and Belgium. This is no random choice or mere numerical padding: coach Baldini made this clear during his press conference, delivering an unambiguous statement. "We don't do trial runs: either you're there or you're not. And if you're called up, it means you are," the manager said.
Benevento, meanwhile, sees its presence in the Under 21 framework grow to two players. Alongside Mannini stands Cherubini, now an established fixture in Italy's youth project at this level.