European champions Italy call up three newcomers for US friendlies

English Woman's Journal - European champions Italy call up three newcomers for US friendlies

SPORTS 15.03.2024

European champions Italy call up three newcomers for US friendlies / Photo: Alberto PIZZOLI - AFP

Luciano Spalletti on Friday called up three newcomers to his 28-man Italy squad for next week's trip to the United States for friendlies against Venezuela and Ecuador in the build-up to their European title defence.

Change text size:

Torino defender Raoul Bellanova, 23, made the cut along with Hellas Verona midfielder Michael Folorunsho, 26, and 23-year-old Udinese striker Lorenzo Lucca, who has scored seven goals in Serie A.

Ex-Napoli coach Spalletti retained mostly the group who secured qualification for July's Euro 2024 in Germany with notably six players from Serie A leaders Inter Milan.

Goal-scoring has been the weak point for 2021 European champions with Sassuolo's Domenico Berardi also out with an Achilles tendon problem.

Genoa's Argentina-born forward Mateo Retegui has been called up but Lazio striker Ciro Immobile, whose 57th and final cap goes back to September, has again bee overlooked.

Italy play Venezuela in Fort Lauderdale, Floria on March 21 and Ecuador three days later in New York.

The Azzurri are drawn in Group B in Euro 2024 from June 14-July 14 along with Spain, Croatia and Albania.

Italy squad:

Goalkeepers: Marco Carnesecchi (Atalanta), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Alex Meret (Napoli), Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham/ENG)

Defenders: Francesco Acerbi (Inter Milan), Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan), Raoul Bellanova (Torino), Alessandro Buongiorno (Torino), Andrea Cambiaso (Juventus), Matteo Darmian (Inter Milan), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Federico Dimarco (Inter Milan), Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta), Destiny Udogie (Tottenham/ENG)

Midfielders: Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan), Giacomo Bonaventura (Fiorentina), Michael Folorunsho (Hellas Verona), Davide Frattesi (Inter Milan), Jorginho (Arsenal/ENG), Manuel Locatelli (Juventus), Lorenzo Pellegrini (Roma)

Forwards: Federico Chiesa (Juventus), Lorenzo Lucca (Udinese), Riccardo Orsolini (Bologna), Giacomo Raspadori (Napoli), Mateo Retegui (Genoa), Mattia Zaccagni (Lazio), Nicolo Zaniolo (Aston Villa/ENG)

St.Reid--EWJ

Mets President David Stearns Expresses Confidence in Marcus Semien's Motivation

New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns has identified Marcus Semien’s self-motivation as the primary factor in his potential recovery from an underwhelming debut season. Speaking at the general managers meetings in Las Vegas, Stearns affirmed that the team remains confident in Semien’s ability to improve, even as they evaluate other infield options for next year.

FA Cup Second-Round Draw Confirmed for Non-League and Midlands Clubs

The FA Cup second-round draw has been finalized, setting up crucial ties for non-league teams aiming to reach the third round proper. Several clubs from the Midlands, including Burton Albion and Kidderminster Harriers, have secured their next opponents following recent victories over lower-league opposition.

Panthers expected to begin 2027 NRL season away from new stadium

The new Penrith Stadium is expected to be ready in time for the opening round of the 2027 NRL season, but it’s still likely the Panthers is expected to be on the road for their early matches. There is no delay to the build of the new $309 million venue but there’s a lack of appetite for risk around weather delays through the summer.

English Woman's Journal - European champions Italy call up three newcomers for US friendlies