Luciano Spalletti will not operate outside the norm in one of his first key decisions as the Italy manager, as Ciro Immobile has been tapped to be the new captain. Leonardo Bonucci hasn’t been called up for the next games. His national team future is up in the air, La Repubblica relays.
The Lazio star has the most caps (56) within the squad. In addition, he is widely recognized as a leader inside the group. He’ll be the fourth Biancocelesti player to receive such an honor after Silvio Piola, Attilio Ferraris, and Angelo Peruzzi. Gianluigi Donnarumma has two fewer appearances with the Azzurri and is next in line.
Still, Immobile isn’t a lock to lead the Italy attack against North Macedonia. Spalletti has been rotating his men in his first few practices. He also tested Mateo Retegui and Giacomo Raspadori as a no.9. The two center-forwards have scored one goal each in the first three Serie A rounds.
The primary order of business for Spalletti is to revitalize the attack. It often sputtered in crucial moments under the previous gaffer. Francesco Totti, Edin Dzeko, Mauro Icardi, and Victor Osimhen put up great numbers with the Tuscan tactician in the dugout.
While Immobile has often come under fire for his Italy performances, he was the most prolific striker with Roberto Mancini at the helm, netting 9 goals in 24 appearances.
 |
Follow us on Google News for more updates on Serie A and Italian football |