The two Granata players did not play in the debut match against Albania. Calafiori and Di Lorenzo were preferred
“Who toAcerbi’s place? Mancini is someone who has more experience, experience means having made more decisions than another. Being forced to decide helps you, but Bastoni can also be a leader. Then people like Buongiorno and Calafiori have the makings of those who want to reach and play at a top level, you can see it in their eyes: they are two very serious guys“. This was Luciano Spalletti’s response on the eve of the Azzurri’s debut at the European Championship in Germany regarding Bastoni’s possible teammate. Against Albania Calafiori was ultimately chosen, with Buongiorno remaining on the bench; the same fate also for Bellanova, who was preferred to Di Lorenzo. Italy eventually found the victory on their debut 2-1, despite the very complicated start with the goal immediately after 23 seconds, but the two grenades remained out for the entire match.
Italy, Calafiori starter: now the Spain test
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Luciano Spalletti preferred Riccardo Calafiori to Alessandro Buongiorno. The Bologna defender certainly didn’t disfigure himself, apart from an avoidable failure at the end of the match. The former Roma and Basel player has shown personality: he has courage in bringing the ball forward, but sometimes fails in marking. Buongiorno remains at the coach’s disposal, aware of the esteem of the coach from Certaldo who had deployed him without fear in a crucial match such as the direct clash with Ukraine in the qualifying round for the top continental competition. The next match will be against Spain and the opponent will be much more difficult than the fearful Albania of last night.
Italy, Di Lorenzo is the owner. Only bench for Bellanova
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Also for Bellanova only on the bench, despite the good performances in the pre-European friendly matches. The coach maintains his preference towards the Napoli captain with whom he won the Tricolore last year. Spalletti, however, reiterated the importance of the group after the match: “It’s a national team that can do without anyone, we have 26 excellent players. There isn’t just one player, everyone counts“. It is not a given, therefore, that the two Granata players will not have the opportunity to play in the next matches against Spain and Croatia.
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