Italy confirm Cassano and Lontani will not earn debuts in November despite first call-ups

FLORENCE, ITALY - AUGUST 22: Simone Lontani of Italy U16 looks on during the friendly Internationale match between Italy U16 and England U16 at Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano on August 22, 2023 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Roberto Mancini has named Como and Parma teenagers Riccardo Cassano and Simone Lontani in his Italy national team squad for November’s Nations League fixtures, but the FIGC has confirmed that they will both be with the senior side for a few days before returning to the U18s and U19s squads. 

Cassano and Lontani only with the Italy senior squad for a few days

Mancini announced his squad of 31 Italy national team players on Thursday evening: The Azzurri will be in action against France in San Siro next Thursday, November 12, and away against Belgium on Sunday, November 15. 

As things stand, Italy sit in second place in their Nations League group on seven points after four matches. France lead the way on 10, Belgium are in third on six and Turkiye are bottom on zero. 

Among the surprise selections were 17-year-old Cassano, who has not yet featured competitively at club level for Como, and 18-year-old Lontani, who has just 10 Serie A appearances, but three league goals to his name with Parma. 

The FIGC has confirmed that both players have been called up so that Mancini can have an up-close look at them for the first few days of the training camp. However, Cassano will then return to the U18s squad and Lontani to the U19s after the first few days. 

“As for Cassano and Lontani, Mancini wanted to call them up to have the opportunity to observe them closely and to give them a valuable opportunity to impress: They will not remain attached to the group for the duration of the camp.” the FIGC confirmed in their statement announcing the latest Italy squad. 

“Instead, they will join the U18 and U19 teams, engaged respectively in the World Cup starting on November 19 in Qatar and the second phase of European Championship qualifiers scheduled for November 11 until November 17.”