Italy head coach Luciano Spalletti has officially announced his 25-man squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League quarter-final clash against Germany. The Azzurri will aim to secure a spot in the semi-finals, but they will be without Inter Milan’s Federico Dimarco due to injury. This absence has paved the way for Atalanta BC left wing-back Matteo Ruggeri to receive his first senior international call-up.
Ruggeri, who has made over 100 appearances for Atalanta, has been rewarded for his impressive form this season. The 22-year-old was also part of the Europa League Team of the Tournament last season after helping Atalanta reach the final. Torino midfielder Cesare Casadei is another new face in the squad, having impressed since his permanent move from Chelsea in January.
Meanwhile, Matteo Politano and Mattia Zaccagni have been recalled to the national team, while Udinese striker Lorenzo Lucca earns a place in the squad for the first time in over a year. Lucca’s only previous appearance came in a 4-1 victory over Israel in the Nations League. Spalletti will be hoping these fresh additions can make an impact against a strong German side.
Several familiar names from the Premier League have also been included. Tottenham duo Guglielmo Vicario and Destiny Udogie, Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori, and Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali have all made the squad. Vicario is expected to provide backup for first-choice goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, while Udogie will compete with Ruggeri for the left wing-back position.
In defense, Alessandro Bastoni, Alessandro Buongiorno, and Calafiori are likely to form a solid back three. In midfield, Spalletti has a wealth of options, including Nicolo Barella, Davide Frattesi, Nicolo Rovella, Samuele Ricci, and the newly called-up Casadei. Tonali’s return adds further depth to the midfield.
Italy will face Germany in the first leg on March 20 at San Siro in Milan, before traveling to Dortmund’s Westfalenstadion for the second leg on March 23. The winner of this high-stakes clash will earn the right to host the semi-finals and final, where they will face either Denmark or Portugal.
Up front, the competition for the striker role will be between Serie A’s top two scorers, Mateo Retegui of Atalanta (22 goals) and Fiorentina’s Moise Kean (15 goals). Supporting them will be Politano, Zaccagni, Giacomo Raspadori, and Daniel Maldini, son of Italian legend Paolo Maldini. Spalletti will have plenty of attacking firepower to choose from as Italy aims to break down Germany’s defense.
Italy’s 25-man squad:
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)
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