Serie B: Mancini taps twenty former players for the Azzurri
Roberto Mancini's national team, fresh from a 3‑1 victory over France at San Siro, has called up 31 players, of whom twenty have played in Serie BKT, totaling 944 appearances before reaching the top national and international level.
Mancini's Italian national team, which overturns all predictions and makes us dream again, speaks the language of Serie BKT. The day after the prestigious 3‑1 win at San Siro against France, sealed by Francesco Pio Esposito's brace and Davide Frattesi's goal, two who have played in the B, and on the eve of the decisive match in Brussels against Belgium to secure a place in the quarter‑finals, the numbers confirm the central role of the league in the national team's backbone.
Analyzing the list of the 32 players called up by head coach Roberto Mancini, a significant figure emerges: 20 out of 31 have played in Serie BKT, accumulating a total of 944 appearances before establishing themselves at the highest national and international levels. “There is great satisfaction that two‑thirds of those called up have come through the B,” said Serie B League President Paolo Bedi.
Defensive foundations
Between the posts, two of the three Italian goalkeepers built their foundations in the second Italian league: Marco Carnesecchi, now a key player for Atalanta, boasts 89 appearances with the shirts of Trapani and Cremonese, a club with which he achieved a historic promotion. Beside him stands out Guglielmo Vicario, current full‑back for Juventus, who guarded the nets of Venezia and Perugia for a total of 78 matches.
Inter’s full‑back Federico Dimarco, who came on during the match against France providing a decisive assist, took his first steps among professionals wearing the Ascoli shirt. Daniele Ghilardi, now a defender for Roma, made his mark at Sampdoria with 38 matches played and 2 goals scored. Federico Gatti, a true symbol of the grind, finally exploded at Frosinone where he logged 35 appearances and scored 5 goals. Young Matteo Palma, currently at Udinese, hardened last season at Sampdoria, collecting 11 appearances and 1 goal.
Midfield and attack
Midfield represents the area with the greatest imprint of Serie BKT, led by the absolute leader of this ranking, Davide Frattesi, current midfielder for Lazio, who built his rise with Ascoli, Empoli and Monza, reaching 110 appearances and 13 goals. Samuele Ricci, now with Como, developed and established himself at Empoli with 63 games and 3 goals. Sandro Tonali, currently at Tottenham, was launched by Brescia with 53 appearances and 5 goals.
Issa Doumbia, now at Sporting Lisbon and subbed in on the night of San Siro, was a key figure with Venezia last season thanks to 37 appearances and 8 goals. Nicolò Fagioli, with Fiorentina, won promotion with Cremonese, totaling 33 appearances and 3 goals. Nicolò Barella, a pillar of Inter, collected 21 tokens between Cagliari and Como from a young age. Alessandro Romano, now at Cagliari, made his category debut with Spezia.
The blue offensive unit also owes a great deal to the showcase of Serie BKT, starting with the Esposito brothers, both fielded from the first minute against France. Francesco Pio, now a forward for Inter and a star at San Siro with two goals, has been among the recent major protagonists with Spezia, netting 22 goals in 77 appearances. Sebastiano, currently at Sassuolo, has built a long career in the league wearing the shirts of SPAL, Venezia, Bari and Sampdoria, for a total haul of 67 matches and 13 goals.
Nicolò Cambiaghi, Bologna forward who provided an assist against the French, grew up between Reggiana and Pordenone with 54 appearances and 7 goals. Gianluca Scamacca, Atalanta forward, honed his goal‑sense at Cremonese and Ascoli, scoring 10 goals in 47 appearances.