Italy head coach Roberto Mancini has announced a 31-player squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against France and Belgium. Four Inter Milan players have earned places in the selection: Alessandro Bastoni, Federico Dimarco, Nicolò Barella, and Francesco Pio Esposito. The squad is slightly smaller than the 34-man group called up for the previous four matches, as Italy prepares for two crucial encounters in the competition.

One of the main highlights is the inclusion of four players receiving their first senior national team call-ups. They are Como midfielder Riccardo Cassano, Parma midfielder Simone Lontani, AC Milan forward Alphadjo Cisse, and Como attacker Mattia Liberali. Their selection reflects Mancini’s interest in assessing emerging Italian talent and giving promising youngsters an opportunity to experience the senior international environment.

Cassano and Lontani have been called up primarily to train with the senior squad and gain valuable experience under Mancini. However, neither player is expected to remain with the group for the entire training camp, as both are scheduled to join Italy’s Under-18 and Under-19 teams respectively. Como also has three representatives in the squad, with Cassano, Ricci, and Liberali all included.

Italy enter the final round of Group 1 in League A after showing encouraging form in their recent matches. Following their failure to qualify for the previous World Cup, the Azzurri have responded with two victories over Turkey and an impressive comeback draw against France in Saint-Denis. They currently sit second in the group with seven points, three behind France and one ahead of Belgium. Italy have already secured at least third place, ensuring a favourable position for the European World Cup qualifying draw scheduled for December 6 in Belfast.

The Azzurri will host France at the Giuseppe Meazza on November 12 before travelling to Brussels to face Belgium at the King Baudouin Stadium on November 15. Finishing among the top two remains the primary objective, as it would secure a place in the Nations League quarter-finals. The squad will gather at Coverciano on the evening of November 8, following Como’s Serie A meeting with Inter at San Siro earlier that day.