Mancini includes 17‑year‑old Cassano in Azzurri squad without professional debut

A special name in the Italian squad is that of Riccardo Cassano. The seventeen‑year‑old midfielder from Como is seen as a great talent, but has not yet made his professional debut. National coach Roberto Mancini has called up the teenager for the upcoming Azzurri matches. Italy play this week in the Nations League against France on Thursday and Belgium on Sunday.

Cassano, who has no family connection with Antonio Cassano, could possibly make his international debut before his professional debut. Mancini said on Monday at a press conference that he could be the player the team is currently missing and praised him as a playmaker who shares the same vision. However, he warned that the youngster still needs to grow physically, but emphasized his excellent game intelligence and the potential to become an important player for the future of the national team.

Mancini pushes Italy into the Nations League, bookmakers demand a feat

Cassano made his international debut for Italy Under‑18 in September, skipped the Under‑19 level and now makes the jump to the senior squad in one step. At Como he was included in the matchday squad three times for the last two Serie‑A fixtures of last season and the first of this season, but never got onto the pitch. The text opens with the note ‘2 min See us more often on Google’.

Mancini, I and Ranieri assess Tresoldi's prospects with Italy