Riccardo Orsolini has been called up by Italy coach Luciano Spalletti to replace Matteo Politano and Lorenzo Bettoni argues the Bologna winger deserves a chance to play for the Azzurri for the first time in almost three years.
Orsolini, 26, is travelling to Milanello, where he will join the Azzurri and prepare for Tuesday’s crucial meeting with Ukraine in the Euro 2024 qualifiers.
He is the first, real, new face in the Spalletti era as all the players called up by the ex-Napoli coach until now, had been widely seen in action under Mancini.
Orsolini did make his senior Azzurri debut in 2019 with Mancio, even scoring two goals in two appearances. However, he has only played 63 minutes at a senior level with Italy, coming off the bench in games against Armenia and Estonia. Not the strongest opponents out there, with all the respect due, but Orsolini still managed to leave his mark.
Nevertheless, ‘Orso’ deserves to be called up by Spalletti mainly for what he did at a club level last season.
The 26-year-old reached double figures for goals in a single campaign for the first time ever, scoring 11 times in 32 Serie A appearances. The impact of Thiago Motta on his career has been massive but the ex-Italy international expects even more from Orsolini this season and so does Spalletti.
Given the quality of his performance at the Stadio Dall’Ara last season, it was surprising not to see Orsolini included in Mancini’s squad for the Nations League Final Four in June.
Domenico Berardi, Federico Chiesa and Wilfried Gnonto were the wingers picked by Mancini for his eventual last two games as Italy’s boss. Mancini had been using a 3-5-2 formation, which partially justified Orsolini’s snub, but the winger deserved to be rewarded following his impressive season at the Stadio Dall’Ara in 2022-23.
Bologna also acknowledged the importance of Orsolini, extending his contract until June 2027 at the end of August.
“Riccardo knows that he has to improve, he knows he can improve,” Thiago Motta said at a press conference after Orsolini’s extension last month.
“He has more responsibility now because he has signed a new contract, which means he has to be even more committed to the club, fans and his teammates. He has to be focused, determined and decisive.
“Today, he has more responsibility. I trust him to improve every day. Like last year, he can score goals, but also have a bigger impact defensively and in the team’s organisation. He must respect the role and keep his freedom during games, which is how we can play better.”
Orsolini has 40 goals and 23 assists in 185 Serie A games and has also played for Ascoli and Atalanta during his career. He will challenge Nicolò Zaniolo for a starting spot on the right wing against Ukraine at San Siro on Tuesday.
@lorebetto