Nations League: in the Italy of young people Cisse is forging ahead: 'Ready for the Azzurri too'

Make way for young people. This is the motto of the Italy that Roberto Mancini is assembling thinking about the upcoming commitments (the Nations League matches on Thursday against France in Milan and Sunday in Brussels against Belgium) but also and above all about the future. Among the revelation players of the current championship, where even baby talents still struggle to find space as highlighted yesterday by the coach himself, there is undoubtedly Alphadjo Cisse, 20 years old, who has already scored 5 goals on his debut in the top flight with the Milan shirt. "Being here is nice and it's a great responsibility - he declared - My Italian idol? Mario Balotelli, he has been since I was a child, I consider him a point of reference for the national team. Should I aim to make my debut against France? The coach will decide, I'm ambitious and it would be a source of pride. Mancini told me to train well, the reception was positive, I'm with important players, some have won the European Championship, we need to have respect, I'm taking a step forward time''.

The numbers, however, say that Cisse is really forging ahead: after the experience in Catanzaro where he played together with another young talent, Mattia Liberali, with whom he spoke today in a conference in Coverciano, the attacker landed at Milan putting a serious injury behind him: ''It was a difficult moment but I managed to deal with it by thinking about when I would arrive at Milanello. The coach and my teammates helped me from day one and this made things easier. They have been very beautiful months, I hope to experience many more. My favorite role? I have it but I won't say it - he smiled - I play everywhere up front. Who hit me among my classmates? It's obvious to say Modric, then I'll say Mario'' referring to Gila. He is not afraid of pressure (''I have broad shoulders, I like it and it leads me to always do better'') and pushes Milan and the national team to aim for the maximum: ''The scudetto must be the priority for my club, it must try to win everything without neglecting any competition. As for Italy, we must always try to win and moving forward in the Nations League must be normal." Liberali, one of the jewels of Fabregas' Como, is also climbing more and more positions: ''Being here is an honour, the impact has been very positive''.

Raised in Milan's youth team, he had to move elsewhere to show off. ''I have no regrets, it certainly wasn't easy because I arrived at Milan as a child but choices must be made with confidence, without looking back. Everyone has their own path''. Born in 2007, Liberali went through the entire youth national team, becoming European champion in 2024 with the Under 17s. ''It wasn't easy to go from B to the top flight to the Champions League, Fabregas is giving me confidence, this week was beautiful''.

The match against Mbappé's France arrives on Thursday: ''It's a national team full of phenomena, it will be a good challenge. We believe in qualification and we will give our all'' assured Liberali who has coach Mancini as his role model: ''He's a great example and I've always liked Totti too''. Among the last to join is the defender born in 2008 from Udinese Matteo Palma 2008: ''Being here is something I would never have imagined, it is a great honor, I have dreamed of it since I was a child'' - he declared to Vivo Azzurro TV. Meanwhile, the national team continues its preparations in anticipation of reaching Milan tomorrow afternoon: Kayode, Bastoni, Calafiori, Barella, Tonali and the two Esposito brothers are heading towards a starting shirt.