Luciano Spalletti has included five uncapped players in his latest Italy national team squad for Nations League fixtures against Belgium and Israel in October, including Milan centre-back Matteo Gabbia and Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio.
The CT named a 23-player squad for the upcoming international fixtures in October. There were not too many changes from his recent September squad, but form and injuries forced a few changes.
Spalletti names five uncapped players in latest Italy squad
Juventus’s summer signing Di Gregorio replaces injured Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret. He joins regulars Gianluigi Donnarumma of Paris Saint-Germain and Guglielmo Vicario of Tottenham.
Gabbia, who has impressed since earning a starting spot in Paulo Fonseca’s Milan side, is also pushing for his first ever senior cap.
Leicester City’s Caleb Okoli has been included in the squad for the second time in a row. The centre-back was not used against France or Israel last month, but Spalletti clearly likes what he has seen from the 23-year-old centre-back so far.
Niccolo Pisilli, 20, has also made the cut following an impressive string of performances in central midfield for Roma.
There is also a Maldini in the Italy squad for the first time in over 20 years, as Daniel, son of Azzurri legend Paolo, has been selected after a promising start to the season with Monza.
Italy will play Belgium at the Stadio Olimpico on October 10, before hosting Israel in Udine four days later.
Official: Spalletti confirms 23-man Italy squad for Belgium and Israel