Lecce defender Federico Baschirotto admits he didn’t answer Roberto Mancini who wanted to confirm his first Italy call-up, thinking it was a promotional call.
The 26-year-old has been included in the Azzurri squad for the Nations League semi-finals, which will be played in June. Mancini called the Lecce centre-back after the Giallorossi secured Serie A survival over the weekend, but Baschirotto didn’t reply initially.
“After the win with Monza, we stopped in Milan to celebrate and yesterday [Monday] I had lunch with my agent. I was leaving a store and I received a call,” Baschirotto told Cronache di Spogliatoio.
“The number was not in my contacts. I thought somebody wanted to congratulate or it could have been a promotional call. I thought: ‘If it’s something important, they’ll call again.”
To his great surprise, it was something important indeed.
“After two minutes, the same number called, so I replied: ‘Baschi, I am the Mister.’
“I can recognise Marco Baroni’s voice, I speak to him every day,” said Baschirotto.
“It could have been some old coach of mine, so I asked: ‘Mister who?’ And he said: ‘Mister Mancini.’
The Lecce defender couldn’t believe it: “Oh, Mister, sorry…”
“I want to congratulate you on gaining survival and say you’ve been called up for the Nations League. Are you available to join us?” asked Mancini.
“Me? Available?” replied Baschirotto.
“Tell me where and when, and I’ll come even by foot!”