From Frattesi to Doumbia, Serie B 'now we are the blue story'

Two thirds of Mancini's Italy team was formed in Serie B. After the success over France which rekindled enthusiasm and support for the national team, the cadet tournament underlines its role in this Italian renaissance: and it does so by highlighting the numbers, because 20 of the 31 called up by the coach come from the cadet tournament, with 944 appearances in a championship that confirms itself as an indispensable ground for building the national team. Zidane's goals against France, Pio Esposito's brace and Davide Frattesi's goal also come from players who played in Serie B.

'There is great satisfaction that two thirds of the players called up have moved from Serie B - says Lega Serie B president Paolo Bedin - It has always been a source of pride for the Under 20 and Under 21 teams, but seeing it happen in the senior national team sends a strong message about the valorisation of our talent and its quality. Not only do we have many young players who deserve Serie A, but several of them also demonstrate that they are worth the blue shirt." Between the posts, Marco Carnesecchi, now Atalanta's strong point, boasts 89 appearances with Trapani and Cremonese. In the same role Guglielmo Vicario, now at Juventus, defended the posts of Venezia and Perugia. The Inter winger Federico Dimarco took his first steps among the professionals at Ascoli. A fundamental experience also for Daniele Ghilardi, now a defender for Roma, who showed off for Sampdoria with 38 games played. Similar path for the Juventus player Federico Gatti who has made 35 appearances for Frosinone. Also among the defenders is Matteo Palma (Udinese) who trained at Sampdoria last season. The midfield represents the department with the greatest impact in Serie B: Davide Frattesi, now in league leaders Lazio. forged between Ascoli, Empoli and Monza. And again Samuele Ricci (Como) has established himself in Empoli. Sandro Tonali, currently at Tottenham, was recently launched by Issa Doumbia, who gained experience at Cagliari and Como as a youngster; Alessandro Romano, now at Cagliari, who made his debut in the category with Spezia.

Among the attackers, the Esposito brothers arrive from the second championship: Pio stood out with the Spezia shirt, Sebastiano, currently at Sassuolo, has instead developed a long career in the category wearing the uniforms of SPAL, Venezia, Bari and Sampdoria. Nicolò Cambiaghi, Bologna striker, grew up between Reggiana and Pordenone, while Gianluca Scamacca did so between Cremonese and Ascoli. Antonio Vergara, now at Napoli, trained in Reggiana: just as Catanzaro thanks the two talents Mattia Liberali, now at Como, and Alphadjo Cisse, who has become irreplaceable at Milan.