03 October 2017
SPINAZZOLA ON AZZURRI DUTY
Absent for the first month of the season through injury, Leonardo Spinazzola has now played every minute of Atalanta’s last three matches, including Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Juventus.
The 24-year-old wing-back, currently in his second season of a loan stint with La Dea, has been called up by Gian Piero Ventura for Italy’s all-important World Cup Qualifier on Friday night against Macedonia, which is being held at the Stadio Olimpico in Turin (20.45 CEST kick-off).
ITALY U21: ORSOLINI, MANDRAGORA AND AUDERO
Riccardo Orsolini, who is also on loan at Atalanta this season, will be representing Italy’s Under 21s in a couple of friendly matches against Hungary and Morocco. The wide forward, who was signed by Juventus in January this year, has made three Serie A appearances so far in 2017/18.
Also linking up with Gigi Di Biagio’s Azzurrini are midfielder Rolando Mandragora, who has six appearances and a goal to his name with Crotone this season, and goalkeeper Emil Audero, who has turned out seven times between the sticks for Serie B side Venezia.
ITALY U20: DEL SOLE AND BERUATTO
Ferdinando Del Sole and Pietro Beruatto have both been called up to Italy’s Under 20s, who are due to take on England and Portugal over the next week. Nineteen-year-old midfielder Del Sole has scored three goals in eight games for Serie B club Pescara this term, while 18-year-old full-back Beruatto has started six matches for Lega Pro outfit Vicenza.
LIROLA AND DONIS FOR SPAIN AND CYPRUS
Pol Lirola, who is in his second season of a loan spell with Sassuolo, has been called up by Spain’s Under 21s for a European qualifier against Slovakia. The 20-year-old right-back has played every minute of the Neroverdi’s eight games so far this term.
There’s also an international call-up for Grigoris Kastanos: the 19-year-old midfielder, who is on loan at Zulte Waregem and has made two appearances in the Europa League this term, will represent Cyprus in their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Greece and Belgium.
