News Focus
- Fortini receives late call-up to the Azzurri squad for two friendly fixtures.
- Italy face Luxembourg on Wednesday before travelling to Greece on Sunday.
- Interim boss Baldini gives youth a chance after missing out on the World Cup.
Italy have called up Fiorentina centre-back Niccolò Fortini for their upcoming friendly fixtures against Luxembourg and Greece.
The Azzurri are preparing for their first match in Luxembourg this Wednesday evening. The team will travel to the European nation on Tuesday afternoon before facing the hosts.
Following that clash, the squad returns to their training base at Coverciano in Florence. They will then make the journey to Greece for their second friendly on Sunday night.
Interim manager Silvio Baldini is leading the side. He stepped up from the Under-21 setup after Gennaro Gattuso stepped down as head coach. Baldini initially selected 24 players but has now included additional faces.
Last week, four prospects joined training in Florence. These included Fortini alongside Cesena’s Tommaso Berti, Empoli defender Gabriele Guarino, and Atalanta’s Dominic Vavassori.
The Italian boss wants to test fresh talent. Most of these players have never received senior caps. This approach comes after a disappointing campaign where Italy missed out on World Cup qualification.
Baldini has three shot-stoppers at his disposal. These are Giovanni Daffara, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Lorenzo Palmisani.
The backline includes several young talents. Defenders called up are Honest Ahanor, Davide Bartesaghi, Fabio Chiarodia, Pietro Comuzzo, Costantino Favasuli, Niccolò Fortini, Filippo Mane, Marco Palestra and Luca Reggiani.
In the middle of the park, the squad features Tommaso Berti, Matteo Dagasso, Giacomo Faticanti, Luca Lipani, Cher Ndour and Niccolò Pisilli.
The attacking options include Francesco Camarda, Luigi Cherubini, Jeff Ekhator, Francesco Pio Esposito, Seydou Fini, Samuele Inacio and Luca Koleosho.