Luciano Spalletti assures ‘many of these players will be part of the final squad for Euro 2024,’ but leaves the door open for others, including Under-21 talents.
The Azzurri completed their tour of the United States with a 2-0 win over Ecuador on Sunday evening in New Jersey, thanks to goals from Lorenzo Pellegrini and Nicolò Barella.
There were debuts for Guglielmo Vicario of Tottenham and Torino wing-back Raoul Bellanova in a transformed starting XI from the side that beat Venezuela 2-1 on Thursday.
“We return home aware that many of these players will be part of the final squad for Euro 2024,” said Spalletti in his press conference.
“We also left a few at home who could be in there, and a few who played for the Under-21 side.”
They are likely to include Leeds United forward Willy Gnonto and Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori.
The coach had hoped to also give debuts to Udinese striker Lorenzo Lucca and Verona midfielder Michael Folorunsho, but they never got to pull on the jersey.
“We did what we needed to do and balanced out the playing time for everyone except for Folorunsho and Lucca, who had a few fitness problems. But we played two very good games and in the second match we sorted out some of the things that needed sorting out. We can only say well done to our players.”
Although it ended 2-0 thanks to the Barella counter-attack in stoppages, Ecuador pushed hard in the second half and forced Vicario into a tricky save.
“Ecuador have the knowledge of European football and the ‘garra’ – the grit – of a South American side. They are the most difficult opponents in terms of pace, strength and tactical nous.
“We never let ourselves get too stretched out or open and that is certainly a positive aspect. Sometimes I hear people act as if it’s to be taken for granted that Italy will win, but that is not the case. Every opponent needs to be respected now.”