Alessandro Romano: An Unexpected Call-Up for Italy

Alessandro Romano, the Cagliari midfielder on loan from Roma, expressed his disbelief and excitement at his sudden inclusion in the Italian national team squad for the Nations League. "Is everything really happening? It all happened so fast," Romano told RaiSport. He attributed his strong start to the season, his goals, Cagliari's good form, and this national team call-up to hard work. "It's a beautiful emotion, I still can't believe it," he added.

'Grew up at Roma, I thank Pisacane'

Having progressed through Switzerland's youth ranks, the 20-year-old player, born in Winterthur, chose to represent Italy. "I always played for Switzerland in youth categories," Romano explained. "Then the unexpected call came, quickly, but it was a choice from the heart, not against Switzerland. I decided in favor of Italy because, ultimately, I felt it in my heart, and I think it was the right choice." This decision was made with his family's input, though he emphasized the final choice was his own, as it's his career path. He acknowledged his growth at Roma, followed by early experiences in Serie B with Spezia, and now finding consistent playing time at Cagliari. "I'm very happy about this and I also thank the coach (Pisacane)," he stated. "When you gain experience and play a lot, you grow." Roma's decision not to include a buy-back clause in his transfer was met with understanding from Romano. "Am I disappointed? No, because ultimately, these are the club's and the coach's choices. It had to be this way, and now at Cagliari, I'm truly very happy. Of course, Roma is a huge team and club; ever since I joined the Giallorossi, my dream was to play at the Olimpico, and even for ten minutes, it was a beautiful emotion."

'Rodri is a champion, Mancini is impressive'

Comparing his situation with other young talents, Romano noted that each player has their own path. "I'm happy for Pisilli," he said, "although it took him a little while. I'm currently at Cagliari and finding a lot of space, thanks to the trust and the coach." Romano identifies his technique as his strongest asset, a skill he developed from a young age with his father. He strives to contribute effectively in both offensive and defensive phases, recognizing the importance of playing with and without the ball in modern football. He doesn't have a single idol but looks up to players like Rodri for inspiration and learns from experienced midfielders in the national team, such as Mandragora and Ricci. Romano is fluent in five languages: Swiss, German, French, English, and Italian, which he sees as a significant advantage in a globalized sport. He believes cultural aspects in football are indeed changing, and his multilingual background helps him connect with teammates. Recalling Italy's 2021 European Championship win as a teenager, Romano finds it surreal to now be under Roberto Mancini's guidance. "I never would have expected it," Romano concluded. "I spoke with Mancini on the phone first, then I met him in person here. Truly impressive."