Four Debutants Earn Calls as Mancini Names 31-Man Squad
Italy head coach Roberto Mancini has called up four uncapped players to a 31-man squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against France and Belgium. Como midfielder Riccardo Cassano, Parma forward Simone Lontani, AC Milan attacker Alphadjo Cisse, and Como midfielder Mattia Liberali have earned their first senior selections, while winger Luca Koleosho receives his first call-up to a competitive senior camp.
The squad selection addresses immediate fixture demands as Italy sit second in their Nations League group on seven points from four matches, trailing group leaders France by three points. Italy host France at San Siro on November 12 before traveling to face Belgium on November 15.
AC Milan
clubMancini’s selections introduce distinct squad management plans for the four debutants. Cassano, 17, and Lontani, 18, will train with the senior squad during the opening days of the international window before joining the Under-18 and Under-19 squads respectively to secure match minutes. Cisse, 20, and Liberali, 19, are retained with the primary squad to contend for competitive playing time against France and Belgium.
The international window arrives at a critical juncture in the Nations League group stage, with Italy needing positive results against top-three rivals France and Belgium to contest first place in the standings.
