Spalletti Explains Controversial Omissions from Squad

Italy coach Luciano Spalletti excluded some regulars from the call-ups for the friendlies against Venezuela and Ecuador, which will take place in Fort Lauderdale in Florida and Harrison in New Jersey. Francesco Acerbi was sent home amid his controversy (via Sky).

“We feel the responsibility of a very important sport for this nation. We needed to act since some things need to be clarified. From what he told me, it wasn’t racism. However, we must pay attention to our behaviors and everything we do and say.”

Spalletti mused on his offensive choices.

“I don’t want to beat around the bush. Ciro Immobile is going through a moment where he can’t express his potential. I have to consider everybody. Gianluca Scamacca didn’t play for a while. He didn’t give his best when I last selected him. You need to prove to be national-team caliber right away. Mateo Retegui is in good form, and Giacomo Raspadori can play two roles. I want to get to know Lorenzo Lucca from up close. The choices aren’t definitive.”

Instead, Spalletti explained that Bryan Cristante’s omission was injury-related.

“He needed intense treatments on his back, which he had been waiting for, and we don’t want to destroy teams. Otherwise, we would have called up Riccardo Calafiori, and maybe Giovanni Fabbian, Wilfried Gnonto, and Cesare Casadei. However, the U-21 side has two qualification games.”