{
  "id": 18483755,
  "title": "Four players earn first call-ups in latest Italy squad: Everything you need to know",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/06/four-players-earn-first-call-ups-in-latest-italy-squad-everything-you",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-06T10:26:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/four-players-earn-first-call-102600910.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a recent announcement by Italy's national team coach Roberto Mancini, four players have earned their first senior national team call-ups. The squad, consisting of 31 players, will face France and Belgium in the upcoming Nations League fixtures. Notably, 17-year-old Como midfielder Riccardo Cassano, Parma forward Simone Lontani, Milan top scorer Alphadjo Cisse, and recent Champions League goalscorer Mattia Liberali have all been selected for their debut appearances.\n\nCassano, who has yet to make a competitive appearance at the club level, will be given a chance to impress for Italy. The teenager, who plays in front of the defense and breaks up play, joined Como's U21 squad at the start of the season and earned his first U18 call-up in September. Lontani, also 18, is another surprise inclusion. The Parma forward, who has scored five goals in his first 11 senior appearances, will join the senior Italy squad before returning to the U19s to earn more game time.\n\nCisse, 20, is a veteran among the four new call-ups. Currently Milan's leading goalscorer with seven goals from 12 appearances, he can play as a striker, support forward, or left winger. Finally, 19-year-old Mattia Liberali, who recently scored his first Champions League goal, will have the opportunity to prove his worth with the Italy national team. The teenager from Como has already been on the radar, having played alongside Cisse in Serie B with Catanzaro.",
  "summary": "Four players earned their first senior national team call-ups when Roberto Mancini announced his squad of 31 Italy players for November’s Nations League fixtures against France and Belgium, plus ano...",
  "key_points": [
    "Four players earn first Italy call-ups: Cassano, Lontani, Cisse, Liberali",
    "Riccardo Cassano, 17, debutant midfielder from Como",
    "Simone Lontani, 18, surprise inclusion from Parma with 5 goals in 11 senior appearances"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}