National Team: Mancini Faces a Double Challenge; His Comments Spark Debate

Roberto Mancini addressed two particularly sensitive issues during the press conference in Coverciano ahead of the Nations League matches against France and Belgium. On one hand, the decision not to call up Giacomo Calò, which sparked controversy following comments from his agent; on the other, the possibility of bringing Nicolò Tresoldi—currently playing for Germany’s Under-21 team—into the Italian national team.

Regarding the Frosinone midfielder—who has had an excellent start to the season with five goals and one assist in his first ten league appearances—the head coach responded without leaving room for interpretation: “Calò is one of many young players who are performing well right now; Frosinone has three or four good ones. But we can’t call up 29- or 30-year-old players at this stage; when the time comes, we’ll do it—but not because his agent tells us to.” This response was directed at Vincenzo Pisacane, who had contested his client’s exclusion, speaking of a possible “death of meritocracy.” Mancini did, however, leave the door open for a future call-up, while ruling out the possibility that external pressure could influence his decisions.

His comments on Tresoldi were of a completely different tone. The Bruges forward, born in Cagliari but who developed as a soccer player in Germany, currently plays for the German Under-21 team and can still choose to represent Italy. Mancini confirmed that he has already spoken with him, along with Claudio Ranieri: “I’ve spoken with Tresoldi; Ranieri spoke with us. He needs to feel the pull of playing for Italy, but since he was born in Italy and his father is in Italy, I think there may be some possibilities. Ultimately, it’s up to the young man to choose; he knows he could be important to us.” The coach’s stance is therefore clear, but the final decision rests with the player.

Mancini has thus drawn a clear line on both cases: no yielding to pressure to change the roster, but maximum willingness to convince a young talent who is still free to choose his national team. Two different situations, united by the head coach’s determination to maintain control over Italy’s selections.