Mancini Calls Up 17-Year-Old Cassano to Squad

Roberto Mancini has announced a 31-man squad for the Nations League matches against France and Belgium. The squad includes 17-year-old Como midfielder Riccardo Cassano, who has yet to appear in an official club match.

The national team camp will begin on Monday, 9 November. Italy will face France at the San Siro on Thursday, 12 November, and then play Belgium away on Sunday, 15 November. Italy sit second in the group with 7 points from four matches. France lead with 10 points, Belgium are third with 6 points, and Turkey are bottom without a point so far.

Cassano was promoted to the Como U21 squad at the start of this season. In September, he made his debut for the Italy U18 team. During the preparation period, he trained and travelled with Como's first team. However, this season he has only played in Primavera league and UEFA Youth League matches.

Mancini has previously given chances to Serie A players who have not yet been tested. Nicolo Zaniolo made his national team debut in 2019 after Mancini gave him the opportunity. This came six months before he played his first official match for Roma. Zaniolo is also in the November squad.