Alvini: ‘Frosinone regrets, Calò would suit Italy midfield in Jorginho or Pirlo role’

BERGAMO, ITALY - OCTOBER 25: Head Coach of Frosinone Calcio Massimiliano Alvini looks during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Frosinone Calcio at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia on October 25, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images)

Frosinone coach Massimiliano Alvini says they leave with ‘regrets’ after defeat to Cagliari, but also feels Giacomo Calò ‘would suit’ the Italy midfield. ‘He can be like Jorginho or Andrea Pirlo.’

The Canarini went into this weekend in sixth place in Serie A and one of the form teams in the league, despite being promoted from Serie B only over the summer.

They had high hopes against struggling Cagliari, but were beaten by a Michel Adopo strike for the 1-0 defeat in Sardinia.

Alvini hails Frosinone star Calò

“We return home empty-handed,” Alvini told Sky Sport Italia.

“It wasn’t the best approach at the start, but we still had plenty of scoring opportunities, so there are regrets at the result. All credit to Cagliari, but we could’ve gone home with something today.

“We didn’t grab hold of the game the way we should’ve done, and when we did have it in hand, we were unable to make the most of our chances. Maybe we weren’t as sharp as usual, and need to do better against defences who clam up.”

It is still a remarkable campaign for Frosinone, and Alvini is eager to keep their feet firmly on the ground.

“Our focus is securing Serie A safety. A result here would’ve been a big brick in that wall, but it would be making a mistake if we were to get ahead of ourselves, because Frosinone cannot afford to do that.”

The agent representing midfielder Calò was furious that Roberto Mancini did not call up the Frosinone star for international duty in the Nations League, and Alvini agrees.

“It is a matter of characteristics and qualities. Italy won the Euros with Jorginho, that type of player, and before that the World Cup with Pirlo in that role. Today, we hand the midfield over to Niccolò Fagioli, while Alessandro Romano is more of a mezz’ala in my view.

“Calò might be 29 years old, but he can still have his say, and bring the kind of passing vision there that Italy has always had. Seeing as Manuel Locatelli is injured, I believe Calò could’ve been in the squad and would suit Mancini’s team.”