Ex-Serie A player surprised by Spalletti snubbing in-form Italy winger | OneFootball

Riccardo Orsolini’s spectacular strike against Inter confirmed the Bologna winger’s extraordinary season, yet he is ignored by Italy for ‘players not worthy to do up his laces,’ claims Massimo Orlando.

That moment could well prove to be decisive not just for the Scudetto race, but also the battle for a top four finish and Champions League qualification.

Deep into stoppages at the Stadio Dall’Ara, Orsolini rose for a scissor-kick volley on the poor Yann Bisseck clearance, beating leaders Inter 1-0 and allowing Napoli to catch them at the top of the Serie A table.

It has been a great season for the 28-year-old, scoring 14 goals and providing four assists in 33 games between Serie A, the Champions League and Coppa Italia.

However, Orsolini has not been given an Italy call-up by Luciano Spalletti since a couple of friendlies in the build-up to EURO 2024.

He was cut from the final squad and ignored ever since, a decision that is raising more eyebrows as time goes on.

“The talent of this lad is undeniable,” insists former Fiorentina, Milan and Atalanta midfielder Orlando on Tuttomercatoweb.

“I have seen players get into the Nazionale who are not worthy to do up his laces. Spalletti can explain his own decisions, but seeing the lack of quality we’ve got in attack for the Italy team, perhaps he ought to reconsider about Orsolini.”

It’s certainly worth a punt with casinobonusca on Orsolini being part of Spalletti’s squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Norway and Moldova in June.

BOLOGNA, ITALY – APRIL 24: Riccardo Orsolini of Bologna smiles during the coppa Italia Semi Final match between Bologna FC and Empoli at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on April 24, 2025 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

The winger made his senior Italy debut under coach Roberto Mancini in November 2019, at the age of 22.

It was a very impressive first appearance, as Orsolini scored a goal and set up another two in the 9-1 European Championship qualifier against Armenia.

However, he was left out of the squad for the EURO 2020 campaign and did not get a recall until September 2023 for more Euro qualifiers.

He went on to accumulate seven caps for the Nazionale, where he managed to score two goals and provide three assists for his teammates.

Italy are having difficulties finding a consistent attacking formation, but wingers like Orsolini, Napoli’s Matteo Politano and Lazio captain Mattia Zaccagni were cut out following the switch from 4-3-3 to a 3-5-2 formation.

Orsolini plays in the 4-3-3 at Bologna under Vincenzo Italiano, but would be capable of taking a wide right wing-back position in a five-man midfield for the Italy squad.

The Rossoblu man is known for contributing spectacular goals, which has earned him the nickname among fans of Orsonaldo, a jokey comparison with Cristiano Ronaldo.