Milan Vice-President Adriano Galliani has told Italy boss Cesare Prandelli to not underestimate the ability of Ignazio Abate.
Milan Vice-President Adriano Galliani has told Italy boss Cesare Prandelli to not underestimate the ability of Ignazio Abate.
The right-back has won his maiden call-up to the Italian national side for the friendlies against Poland and Uruguay this month.
Galliani, though, has made it clear that the former Torino player can be of use to the Azzurri on a long-term basis.
“If Abate is considered as a player good enough to feature in the European Championship then it is right that he is part of the squad,” Galliani noted.
“However, it would be wrong to just use him to plug some gaps for a couple of friendly games.
“I think Abate deserves a place at Euro 2012 and not just in two friendly matches…”
Abate is a graduate of the Milan youth system who, after spells at numerous other sides, re-joined the Diavolo in the summer of 2009.
Abate is one of two right-backs in the latest Italy squad, with the other being Napoli wing-back Christian Maggio.