The Mediaset program Le Iene (The Hyenas) orchestrated a phone prank targeting several Italian soccer players, involving the impersonator Edoardo Mecca. Posing as the national team coach, Luciano Spalletti, Mecca contacted the excluded players, announcing a last-minute call-up for the Nations League return match against Germany.
Here is Mattia Perin`s reaction who, unlike his colleagues, recognized the prank and responded jokingly, playing along: `Every time he doesn`t call me up, I`m disappointed.`