Milan forward Alphadjo Cisse, 20, is in Italy's senior squad for the first time, and he could make his debut against France on Thursday at San Siro. Italy coach Roberto Mancini's side then travel to Belgium on Sunday for their second Nations League match of the break.
The numbers
Cisse has five Serie A goals in 11 rounds, level with Milan's Adrien Rabiot and Como's Anastasios Douvikas in our top-scorers table, and eight in all competitions this season, according to Sky Sport Italia and Gazzetta dello Sport. Gazzetta calls that the best return of any player Mancini has called up. His latest came at Genoa on Sunday: he scored after 13 minutes of a 2-1 win that lifted Milan to fourth on 24 points, five behind leaders Lazio.
From Catanzaro to Coverciano
The road was not straight. Cisse moved to Catanzaro in 2025 because he needed minutes, he told reporters at Italy's Coverciano training base, after the club, under then-coach Aquilani, wanted him. An injury cost him the second half of last season, and he said he came through it by keeping his mind on returning to Milan's Milanello training base. "It was a difficult moment, but I handled it well," he said.
Asked about Milan's title hopes, he answered: "At Milan you have to win everything." Asked which teammate had impressed him most, he called Modric too obvious and named teammate Mario Gila instead.
Liberali joins him
Cisse is not the only new face. Como's Mattia Liberali is also among the new faces in Mancini's squad, ANSA says; he and Cisse were at Catanzaro together. Liberali, who came through Milan's youth system and won the Under-17 European title with Italy in 2024, said leaving Milan was not easy but he has no regrets. Como are fifth on 23 points, a point behind Milan.
What to expect on Thursday
Cisse said it was up to Mancini whether he starts: "I am ambitious and playing for the national team is a source of pride." He said Mancini told him to train well. ANSA's expected line-up for France does not include him, naming Kayode, Bastoni, Calafiori, Barella, Tonali and the two Esposito brothers as likely starters. Asked about his idol in the national shirt, Cisse said Mario Balotelli had been his reference since childhood.
