Italy: Gattuso calls up Leoni, Esposito, Politano returns | OneFootball

The new national team coach has selected the players who will participate in the two World Cup qualifying matches against Estonia and Israel. The former Napoli coach also brings back Matteo Politano, following the Spalletti ostracism.

Italy, Gattuso focuses on youth: among the new faces are Leoni and Francesco Pio Esposito. Politano returns

The new Azzurri era is taking shape. Rino Gattuso has announced his first squad list as the coach of Italy, calling up 28 players for the two crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Estonia (September 5 in Bergamo) and Israel (September 8 in Debrecen, Hungary).

Three new faces for a younger and more dynamic Italy

Among the new names are Liverpool defender Giovanni Leoni, Bologna midfielder Giovanni Fabbian, and Inter forward Francesco Pio Esposito, who is still seeking his Serie A debut. Gattuso is thus focusing on a mix of youth and emerging talent, in line with his philosophy of renewal.

However, there are also important returns: Gianluca Mancini returns to the Azzurri after being excluded from Spalletti's choices, while Gianluca Scamacca reappears after a year marked by injuries. Also confirmed are Mateo Retegui, despite his move to Saudi Arabia, and Sandro Tonali, who is recovering from a shoulder problem in the first Premier League matchday.

The complete list of call-ups

Goalkeepers:

Marco Carnesecchi (Atalanta)

Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain?)

Alex Meret (Napoli)

Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham)

Defenders:

Alessandro Bastoni (Inter)

Raoul Bellanova (Atalanta)

Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal)

Andrea Cambiaso (Juventus)

Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli)

Federico Dimarco (Inter)

Federico Gatti (Juventus)

Giovanni Leoni (Liverpool)

Gianluca Mancini (Roma)

Midfielders:

Nicolò Barella (Inter)

Giovanni Fabbian (Bologna)

Davide Frattesi (Inter)

Manuel Locatelli (Juventus)

Nicolò Rovella (Lazio)

Sandro Tonali (Newcastle)

Forwards:

Francesco Pio Esposito (Inter)

Moise Kean (Fiorentina)

Daniel Maldini (Atalanta)

Riccardo Orsolini (Bologna)

Matteo Politano (Napoli)

Giacomo Raspadori (Atletico Madrid)

Mateo Retegui (Al-Qadsiah)

Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta)

Mattia Zaccagni (Lazio)

With this list, Gattuso sends a clear message: the Italian National team is ready for a generational change, without giving up the necessary experience to tackle the journey towards the 2026 World Cup.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.