Euro 2024: who are the players called up for Italy?

Luciano Spalletti has made official the list of twenty-six footballers who will fly to Germany for the European Championship. Three were excluded from the final squad: Provedel, Ricci and Orsolini out. Let’s find out who has been called up for Euro 2024.

Goalkeepers

Gianluigi Donnarumma: After a Gigi (Buffon) our goal is in the hands of a Gigio. The ex-Milan player, now playing for Paris Saint-Germain, has already given the Azzurri success in previous European Championships thanks to his exploits on penalties taken by England in the final. He is about to become a father.

Alex Meret: The Napoli goalkeeper, with whom he won the scudetto in the 2022/23 season, will go to Germany with the role of vice-goalkeeper, the same one that allowed him to become champion at the 2021 European Championship.

William Vicar: Won the run-off with Ivan Provedel for the third goalkeeper position. We will probably never see him on the pitch, but if his contribution is needed, the Tottenham player will know how to assert himself.

Defenders

Alessandro Bastoni: Exploded in the 2018/19 season with the Parma shirt, he moved to Inter and soon won the starting shirt thanks to an important physique and good feet.

Raoul Bellanova: The 24-year-old from Torino earned Spalletti’s call-up with excellent performances. He has been involved with the Italian national teams since the youth team, with which he made his debut in 2015 (Under 15).

Alexander Good morning: Another Granata player, he is a very physical central defender who prefers to play with his left foot. Raised in the Turin youth sector, after a few loans around Italy he returned to base, gaining everyone’s trust.

Riccardo Calafiori: One of the best defenders of the last championship, the ex-Roma player found his place at Thiago Motta’s Bologna, proving himself reliable and mature despite his young age.

Andrea Cambiaso: Born in 2000, the Juventus player can play both in defense and in midfield. Among his best qualities is a certain propensity to push himself into attack to assist his teammates.

Matthew Darmian: Thirty-four year old of undoubted quality. The Inter player boasts four seasons at Manchester United in his CV (from 2015 to 2019). Equipped with good tactical sense, he is one of the veterans of the group.

Giovanni Di Lorenzo: Defender of Napoli of which he is captain, he began his career as a striker. A past that comes in very handy when he leaves the backward sector to seek his fortune up front. Skilled in the air, he is fast and physically strong.

Federico Dimarco: Raised at Inter, he returned after playing with Ascoli, Empoli, Sion, Parma and Verona. Left-handed, he stands out for his skill in crossing and good basic technique. He has been included in the lineup of the best in the 2022/23 Champions League.

Federico Gatti: There shouldn’t have been, instead first Francesco Acerbi’s withdrawal and then Giorgio Scalvini’s made him fly to Germany. He can be the wild card for the Azzurri.

Gianluca Mancini: The Roma centre-back is one of the players on whom coach Spalletti has shown, since the beginning of his adventure on the Italy bench, that he is betting. Physically strong and with the feet of a midfielder, the twenty-eight year old Tuscan has learned over the years to keep his impetuous character at bay, acquiring the role of leader.

Midfielders

Nicolò Barella: He is one of the heroes of Inter’s Scudetto. Born in Cagliari in 1997, he is considered one of the best midfielders of his generation. Physical strength, temperament and excellent vision of the game make him a complete footballer coveted by many clubs. Nicolò Barella became a father for the fourth time in the first days of June. The announcement of the last child he had with Federica Schievenin arrives on social media: «Welcome, our love. Romeo Barella”. Before him they had had three little girls.

Bryan Cristante: The Giallorossi is one of those who is always there in the national team, regardless of the coach. He does a lot of obscure but fundamental work, when he is not there you can feel his absence.

Nicolò Fagioli: He returns to play after the betting disqualification, Spalletti called him up a bit as a surprise, but his characteristics could be useful to the Italian group. Skilled in long throws, he stands out for his excellent basic technique.

Michael Folorunsho: Born in Rome in 1998, he plays for Verona even though he is from Napoli. He has an imposing physique and a well-developed eye for goal, when he serves he is among the first to run into the defense to lend a hand.

Davide Frattesi: One of the most promising Italian talents, on loan from Sassuolo, has definitely blossomed at Inter, demonstrating that he can make his contribution in a big team. He has worn the Italy jersey since the Under 17s.

Jorginho: One of the veterans of the European Championship 2021. Brazilian naturalized Italian, he grew up in the youth sector of Verona. He has been playing in the Premier League since 2018, when he was purchased by Chelsea. Since 2023 he has played for Arsenal.

Lorenzo Pellegrini: The Roma captain is among Spalletti’s protégés. Inside midfield, he is more skilled in the setting phase than in the covering phase, if necessary he can also play lower in front of the defense. With the Giallorossi he often took to the pitch, also playing the role of attacking midfielder.

Attackers

Federico Chiesa: Probably the best player in this Italy, the Juventus son of art has physical strength, excellent technique and a great shot. Spalletti’s national team will entrust him with the fate of the offensive department.

Stephan El Shaarawy: The Pharaoh is what is called a wild card player. In fact, the Roma player can play on both flanks, as an attacking midfielder or as a second striker. Having him in the squad is like bringing three players in one to Germany.

Giacomo Raspadori: The Napoli striker is fast and technically very good. He knows how to attack deep, but also meet the ball when necessary. Ambidextrous, he knows how to float between the opposing lines, creating havoc.

Mateo Retegui: With Jorginho he is one of the two naturalized members of this group. Born in 1999 in Argentina, he has played in Serie A for Genoa since 2023. Quick and cynical in front of goal, he can be very useful.

Gianluca Scamacca: The move from West Ham to Atalanta made him make the leap in quality. With his goals he dragged Gian Piero Gasperini’s team both in the championship and in the Europa League. It’s a shame he had to miss the final, which was then lost, against Bayer Leverkusen.

Mattia Zaccagni: The Lazio player can be used in all attacking roles, thanks to his marked flexibility and high-level technique. Good both in possession of the ball and in moving without it, he is also a penalty taker.