Italy have officially announced their first squad under Luciano Spalletti for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers.
The 64-year-old took over as the head coach of the Azzurri today, replacing Roberto Mancini following his shock resignation last month. Spalletti was one of the favourites for the job following his incredible work with Napoli last season, guiding them to their first Scudetto in 33 years.
Spalletti’s first matches in charge of Italy will be played in the international break later next week, when they’ll face North Macedonia on September 9 and Ukraine on September 12 in their Euro 2024 qualifiers.
The Italy squad called up by Spalletti
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain), Alex Meret (Napoli), Ivan Provedel (Lazio), Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham).
Defenders: Alessandro Bastoni (Inter), Cristiano Biraghi (Fiorentina), Nicolo Casale (Lazio), Matteo Darmian (Inter), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Federico Dimarco (Inter), Gianluca Mancini (Roma), Alessio Romagnoli (Lazio), Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta), Leonardo Spinazzola (Roma).
Midfielders: Nicolo Barella (Inter), Bryan Cristante (Roma), Davide Frattesi (Inter), Manuel Locatelli (Juventus), Lorenzo Pellegrini (Roma), Matteo Pessina (Monza), Sandro Tonali (Newcastle).
Forwards: Federico Chiesa (Juventus), Wilfried Gnonto (Leeds), Ciro Immobile (Lazio), Matteo Politano (Napoli), Giacomo Raspadori (Napoli), Mateo Retegui (Genoa), Mattia Zaccagni (Lazio), Nicolo Zaniolo (Aston Villa).
Notable returns to the squad include Mattia Zaccagni, Cristiano Biraghi, Gianluca Mancini and Manuel Locatelli. Nicolo Casale has been handed his first call up following his impressive debut season with Lazio. Interesting absences include Jorginho, Marco Verratti and Leonardo Bonucci.
I’m fairly happy with the squad. Would like to have seen udogie and cambiaso instead of darmian and biraghi. Also would have liked to see Buongiorno. I feel Scamacca should have been called as well as should casedei, other than those well done spalletti. Forza Italia.
I agree Sam, a good first squad from Spalletti. Couldn’t make a million changes straight away – but, not many changes I’d have actually made. I think long-term it will be Udogie, not Biraghi. But DiMarco will start. Calabria for Darmian. I like Cristante but I think I’d rather see Rovella/ Fgioli or another young player get a chance. Also, Scamacca – if he starts scoring again. Excited to see us play Spalletti-ball…
Casadei was called to the U21’s
Let’s hope Italy goes all the way this time..The fans have suffered enough.
I am hopeful going forward that spalletti will pick the right players unlike with Mancini. I’m not sure what udogie needs to do to get a callup though. We desperately need 6 points against Macedonia and Ukraine.
On paper the team looks good .I believe he can make it happen .
I am confident that this team will do well and bring us to GLORY
Good luck as we will be with you all the way .
Frank
Montreal
Ho Sam
When I watch my Sunday soccer I see talent in every team that would do honour to our Italian team .I strongly believe that the players were picked based on talent for each position .Where Mancini ( SORRY TO SAY ) he had his I likes and I dislikes.
I agree that we hope that the players he
picked are the right ones .
Spalletti in my book is a much wiser coach .He knows he will be open to criticism either way .
Frank