Italy call up Samuele Ricci after Bryan Cristante ruled out through injury

Italy have called up Como midfielder Samuele Ricci to replace Roma’s Bryan Cristante, who has withdrawn from the squad because of a physical problem.

Cristante was injured during Roma’s 2-2 draw with Inter in the fifth round of Serie A. Italy’s training camp is due to begin on Monday as the team prepares for four Nations League matches.

The Italian Football Federation said: “After yesterday’s league match against Inter, Roma midfielder Bryan Cristante will not be available because of a physical problem and will be unable to accept the call-up. At the same time, Roberto Mancini has called up Como midfielder Samuele Ricci, who will join the team in the coming hours.”

Ricci has made 11 international appearances since making his Italy debut under Mancini in 2022.

Italy will face Belgium, Turkey, France and Turkey between 25 September and 5 October.

The squad includes several new players, including Mohamed Ali Zuma of Nuremberg, Antonio Vergara of Napoli, Issa Doumbia of Sporting Lisbon, Michael Kayode of Brentford, Eddie Kouadio of Monza and Alessandro Romano of Cagliari.

Italy squad

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City), Guglielmo Vicario (Juventus), Marco Carnesecchi (Atalanta), Massimo Pessina (Bologna).

Defenders: Alessandro Bastoni (Inter), Eddie Kouadio (Monza), Diego Coppola (Paris Club), Daniele Ghilardi (Roma), Michael Kayode (Brentford), Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta), Honest Ahanor (Crystal Palace), Gianluca Mancini (Roma), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal), Federico Dimarco (Inter).

Midfielders: Nicolo Barella (Inter), Samuele Ricci (Como), Issa Doumbia (Sporting Lisbon), Alessandro Romano (Cagliari), Rolando Mandragora (Torino), Nicolo Fagioli (Fiorentina), Davide Frattesi (Lazio), Sandro Tonali (Tottenham).

Forwards: Samuel Inacio (Borussia Dortmund), Nicolo Cambiaghi (Bologna), Mohamed Ali Zuma (Nuremberg), Antonio Vergara (Napoli), Sebastiano Esposito (Sassuolo), Francesco Pio Esposito (Inter), Daniel Maldini (Cagliari), Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta), Giacomo Raspadori (Atalanta), Nicolo Zaniolo (Udinese) and Moise Kean (Como).