Controversy over the selection of the Italian squad in the European Cup

Italy's selection of a temporary squad ahead of the European Cup sparked controversy. Can they defend the title?

AP/LUCA BRUNO

Italian national team coach Luciano Spalletti during the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying match between Italy and Ukraine in San Siro Stadium, Milan, Italy on September 12, 2023. Spalletti announced the provisional list of 30 Italy national team players for the 2024 Euro Cup on Thursday (23/5/2024).

ROME, FRIDAY — Question marks and controversy emerged after Luciano Spalletti announced his 30 selected players ahead of the European Cup, Thursday (24/5/ 2024) evening. The coach of the Italian national team called up a number of players who were considered unfit. Manuel Locatelli, who played regularly throughout the season, was kicked out, while Nicolo Fagioli, who was absent for a long time due to a gambling scandal, was called up.

The majority of the players Spalletti has prepared for the European Cup, which will take place in Germany from June 15 to July 15, come from Serie A clubs. Of the 30 names called up, 27 players are competing in the football competition. football the top division of the Italian League. Only three names play in competitions outside Italy, namely Jorginho (Arsenal), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain), and Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham Hotspur).

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Aside from being colored by the lack of Italian players competing in foreign leagues, Spalletti's temporary squad selection also sparked controversy. The sharpest spotlight is on Spalletti's decision to not call up Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli.

Most supporters of the Italian national team question Spalletti's decision. Locatelli also showed disappointment after not finding his name in the list of players called up for training at Coverciano. On his social media account, he posted a pitch-black photo as a sign of mourning.

In some cases, we've sent a very clear message about what these kids can bring to the table.

AP/MARCO ALPOZZI

Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli celebrates after scoring a goal during a Serie A match between Juventus and Inter Milan at Juventus Stadium, Turin, Italy, on November 6, 2022. Fagioli has made the provisional list of 30 players for the Italy national team for the 2024 European Cup, despite having just completed a seven-month ban from competing due to a gambling scandal.

On the other hand, Spalletti made a surprise move by including young Juventus midfielder, Nicolo Fagioli (23), in the temporary squad. However, Fagioli had been absent for seven months this season due to a ban on playing as a result of his involvement in a gambling scandal.

Fagioli recorded only playing seven matches with Juventus this season. He had just returned from a punishment when he strengthened Juventus against Bologna in Serie A. In the match that ended in a 3-3 draw, Fagioli played as a substitute with 19 minutes left in the game.

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Fagioli is more fortunate than Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali. Both players were penalized by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) for their involvement in gambling. However, Fagioli was only punished for seven months while Tonali's punishment was longer, which was for 10 months.

Tonali will only be free from his sentence in August, so he cannot be included in Spalletti's temporary squad. If his punishment ends earlier, Tonali is expected to be chosen by Spalletti.

Questioning Spalletti

The majority of supporters question Spalletti's intention in choosing Fagioli, who has played minimal minutes, but overlooking Locatelli who has played regularly throughout this season. With Juventus, Locatelli contributed one goal and six assists in 40 matches in all competitions.

AP/FRANK AUGSTEIN

The celebration of Italian players after the finals of the 2020 European Cup between England and Italy at Wembley Stadium, London, on July 11, 2021. Italian coach Luciano Spalletti announced a temporary list of 30 players for the Italian national team for the 2024 European Cup on Thursday (23/5/2024).

Several allegations and rumors have emerged regarding Spalletti's decision to call up Fagiolo. Some opinions suggest that Spalletti intentionally called up Fagiolo to send a message to the Italian players that the hope of strengthening the national team still exists despite having been punished due to the gambling scandal.

"In some cases, we have sent a very clear message about what these children can offer. Some still need to overcome pressure and individual problems they face. There are internal and external environments in football, both of which are needed to give the best," said Spalletti when asked about the development of Italy's squad compilation a few weeks ago.

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In addition, supporters are also puzzled by Spalletti's decision not to call up veteran players such as Giacomo Bonaventura (Fiorentina), Ciro Immobile (Lazio), Michele Di Gregorio (Monza), Federico Gatti (Juventus), and Matteo Politano (Napoli).

The experience and maturity of those players are deemed necessary by Italy to defend their European Cup title. Only 10 players from Italy's previous European Cup-winning squad have been called up this time. With the current squad, Italy hopes to equal Spain's achievement of winning the European Cup in two consecutive editions in 2008 and 2012.

AP/ANTONIO CALANNI

Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori controls the ball during the Italian League match between AC Milan and Bologna at the San Siro Stadium in Milan on Saturday (27/1/2024). Calafiori is one of the players included in the temporary squad for the Italian national team in the 2024 European Cup. Calafiori was called up due to his brilliant performances with Bologna in the 2023-2024 season.

Next, Italy will have two friendly matches before playing in the Group B preliminary round, which is known as the "group of death". Italy is in the same group with Albania, Spain, and Croatia. The two friendly matches mentioned are against Turkey on June 5th, and then Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 10th. Spalletti will use these two friendly matches to cut four players, leaving 26 definitive players who will defend Italy in Germany. (AFP)

Provisional Italy Squad List

Goalkeeper:

Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint Germain)

Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham Hotspur)

Alex Meret (Napoli)

Ivan Provedel (Lazio)

Defender:

Francesco Acerbi (Inter Milan)

Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan)

Matteo Darmian (Inter Milan)

Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta)

Alessandro Buongiorno (Torino)

Gianluca Mancini (AS Roma)

Riccardo Calafiori (Bologna)

Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli)

Raoul Bellanova (Torino)

Federico Dimarco (Inter Milan)

Andrea Cambiaso (Juventus)

Midfielder:

Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan)

Davide Frattesi (Inter Milan)

Bryan Cristante (AS Roma)

Lorenzo Pellegrini (AS Roma)

Nicolo Fagioli (Juventus)

Jorginho (Arsenal)

Samuele Ricci (Torino)

Michael Folorunsho (Hellas Verona)

Attacker:

Federico Chiesa (Juventus)

Giacomo Raspadori (Napoli)

Mateo Retegui (Genoa)

Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta)

Riccardo Orsolini (Bologna)

Mattia Zaccagni (Lazio)

Stephan El Shaarawy (AS Roma).