Mancini determined to hand first Italy call-ups to five U23 talents, including Cissé

Mancini determined to hand first Italy call-ups to five U23 talents, including Cissé La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Italy coach Roberto Mancini will mix young and experienced players in his senior Italy squad for Nations League games in September and October, giving at least five U23 talents their first call-up, including Milan’s Alphadjo Cissé. Mancini will announce his Italy squad for Nations League games next week, and Italian media are already reporting on some likely decisions by the Azzurri boss. PERTH, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 05: Alphadjo Cisse of AC Milan passes the ball during the pre-season match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at Optus Stadium on August 05, 2026 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Janelle St Pierre/Getty Images) According to Gazzetta, Mancini is determined to give a first call-up to U23 talents Cissé and Mattia Liberali (19), Nicolò Tresoldi (22), Alessandro Romano (20) and Issa Doumbia (22). Tresoldi and Romano have played for Germany and Switzerland at the U21 level, respectively, but have reportedly agreed to play for Italy at a senior level, so Mancini and the FIGC are now waiting for FIFA’s green light before making their call-up official. Matteo Palma of Udinese is another player with dual citizenship, as he can play for both Germany and Italy, but it’s unclear whether Mancini already wants to include the 18-year-old in the Italy squad for the next four games. ENSCHEDE, NETHERLANDS – JUNE 15: Head coach of Italy Roberto Mancini attends before the UEFA Nations League 2022/23 semifinal match between Spain and Italy at FC Twente Stadium on June 15, 2023 in Enschede, Netherlands. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images) Gazzetta highlights that Mancini won’t only call up young and promising players, but will likely include some experienced footballers as well, including Bryan Cristante and Giovanni Di Lorenzo. Italy will play Nations League games against Turkiye at home and away, plus Belgium at home and France away in the upcoming break, which will last two weeks. All the top three teams from each Nations League group will be in Pot 1 in the Euro 2030 qualifiers draw in December, so Mancini wants a fair balance of young and established players in his team. Therefore, according to Gazzetta, some youngsters who made their senior debuts under Silvio Baldini in June, including Mane, Chiarodia, Reggiani, Comuzzo, Ahanor, Lipani, Faticanti, Dagasso, Koleosho, Fini and Venturino, will be called up by the U21 coach.