Starting eleven of Italy poses during the UEFA Nations League A soccer match Italy vs Israel in Udine, Italy, 14 October 2024. EPA-EFE/DAVIDE CASENTINI
Italy national team head coach Luciano Spalletti has confirmed his squad of 25 players to take on Germany across two legs of the Nations League quarter-finals coming up during the March international break.
The Azzurri will take on Die Mannschaft over two legs of the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals during the March international break. Italy will host in San Siro for the first leg on March 20, before travelling to Dortmund for the return leg at Signal Iduna Park a few days later on March 23.
The winners will go on to compete in the Nations League finals, which will be held in either Germany or Italy. The winner of this tie will host the Nations League finals at the beginning of June.
There are few surprises among Spalletti’s selections. There is no Federico Dimarco due to injury, which means there is a first call-up for Atalanta left wing-back Matteo Ruggeri, along with Tottenham’s Destiny Udogie, who is likely to start in Dimarco’s absence.
Also earning a first call-up to the senior side is Torino midfielder Cesare Casadei, who has impressed in his first weeks of Serie A football after returning to Italy from Chelsea during the January transfer window.
Udinese striker Lorenzo Lucca has also been included. He earned his first Italy call-up to this time last year, in March 2024, but remains uncapped.
Official: Italy squad confirmed for Germany
Goalkeepers: Donnarumma (PSG), Meret (Napoli), Vicario (Tottenham).
Defenders: Bastoni (Inter) Buongiorno (Napoli), Calafiori (Arsenal), Cambiaso (Juventus), Comuzzo (Fiorentina), Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Gatti (Juventus), Ruggeri (Atalanta), Udogie (Tottenham).
Midfielders: Barella (Inter), Casadei (Torino), Frattesi (Inter), Ricci (Torino), Rovella (Lazio), Tonali (Newcastle).
Forwards: Kean (Fiorentina), Lucca (Udinese), Maldini (Atalanta), Politano (Napoli), Raspadori (Napoli), Retegui (Atalanta), Zaccagni (Lazio).
