Only One Lazio Player Called up by Italy for World Cup Qualifiers | OneFootball

Italy coach Luciano Spalletti has unveiled his squad for Italy’s first two World Cup qualifiers, as Nicolo Rovella will be Lazio’s only representative.

The Background

The four-time world champion will be hellbent on topping the group to qualify for the global tournament after missing out on the last two editions. Their last participation dates back to 2014.

Italy Set to Play Norway & Moldova

The Azzurri will kickstart their campaign in Oslo on June 6 by taking on Erling Haaland’s Norway who currently boast a perfect record after winning their first two group contests. Three days later, Italy will host European minnows Moldova at the Mapei Stadium in Sassuolo.

Nicolo Rovella Earns Italy Call-up

Spalletti has once again decided to call up Rovella whose three senior international caps have all come under the tutelage of the former Roma and Napoli boss. The 23-year-old is coming off a spectacular campaign on a personal level, confirming himself as one of the finest deep-lying playmakers in Serie A.

Nevertheless, Rovella will be facing stern competition from Juventus captain Manuel Locatelli and Torino’s Samuel Ricci, who will be vying for the same starting spot.

Mattia Zaccagni Out of Italy Squad

On the other hand, Mattia Zaccagni has been dropped from the squad once more. With Spalletti deploying a 3-4-2-1 formation, there has been little room for attacking wingers. Even the manager’s old favorite, Matteo Politano, has been excluded, with Riccardo Orsolini being the only natural winger in the squad.

The 27-man Italy squad

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain), Alex Meret (Napoli), Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham);

Defenders: Francesco Acerbi (Inter), Alessandro Bastoni (Inter), Alessandro Buongiorno (Napoli), Andrea Cambiaso (Juventus), Diego Coppola (Hellas Verona), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Federico Dimarco (Inter), Matteo Gabbia (Milan), Federico Gatti (Juventus), Destiny Udogie (Tottenham), Davide Zappacosta (Atalanta);

Midfielders: Nicolò Barella (Inter), Cesare Casadei (Torino), Davide Frattesi (Inter), Manuel Locatelli (Juventus), Samuele Ricci (Torino), Nicolò Rovella (Lazio), Sandro Tonali (Newcastle);

Forwards: Moise Kean (Fiorentina), Lorenzo Lucca (Udinese), Daniel Maldini (Atalanta), Riccardo Orsolini (Bologna), Giacomo Raspadori (Napoli), Mateo Retegui (Atalanta).