This morning, the latest Italian National Team squad was announced, and AC Milan have no representation in the team, which may be a step back.
In recent years, there has been a big focus on Milan’s presence in the national team, or perhaps, the lack of it. Indeed, on several occasions, there have been no call-ups from Milanello, and whilst the picture was shifting recently, Gennaro Gattuso has not made any Rossoneri selections.
Gattuso selects no Milanisti
As MilanPress relay, the 28 man squad does not include anyone from the Diavolo squad, despite three potential options.
Matteo Gabbia and Davide Bartesaghi have both been struggling with injuries recently, but the latter is expected to return this weekend, and if he is 100%, he surely could have travelled for the next round of fixtures.
With Gabbia, though, and perhaps with the wing-back, it may just be a little too soon, especially considering the magnitude of these games.
Once again, Samuele Ricci has not been given a call-up too. The midfielder is still an onlooker in the team, and finding space is difficult. However, he could be given a chance to play this weekend and perhaps show Gattuso what he is missing.
This set of fixtures could be big for future selections, too, so it will be intriguing to see if there is any effect from the Milan players missing these games.
Huge majority of the players called up are not even regular starters for the respective clubs they play for. Thats all you need to know for the state of the national team and talent available.
First of all, I don’t think that our ACMilan Italians are of the highest quality. Gabbia, Bartesaghi and Ricci are decent players but aren’t the best Italians in their positions. So, as an Italian who hopes that we will qualify to the WC by winning the playoff, I have no problem with the Azzurri counting on players who are actually a bit superior to our Italian players, although they aren’t that brilliant either; it hasn’t been a good time for Italian players, and there is a reason why we haven’t been to the WC for two cycles, and we failed to qualify directly this time and must go to the playoff.
So, this said, there is an upside: our players won’t get injured if they are not called up. Unfortunately one of our most injury-prone players, Christian Pulisic, has been called up to the United States National Team, and it is well-known that he usually comes back from that, kind of banged up. He hasn’t been great in 2026 and this may add to his troubles. Or not. Maybe he will do well there and get a boost of confidence, reflecting positively on his Milan form. We’ll see.
I mean, Ricci is nice but Tonali and unfortunately Barella are better. Gabbia and Bartesaghi are nice but unfortunately DiMarco and that nasty Bastoni are better, not to forget Calafiori who is much better. So, I have no problems with Gattuso’s selections. Forza Italia, let’s get that WC spot! (It won’t be easy because we aren’t that great; truth be told).
This. We really can’t complain that our players aren’t there. What we can complain is that why aren’t we buying players that are good enough for the Azzurri. There has been many opportunities but every time we end up getting someone from France or Chelsea.
Right because he called up only a starting 11. He has no subs. Copolla from Paris FC is better than Gabbia and Bartesghi and deserves a call up over them. Fratessi who has been a disaster and Chiesa who hasn’t played meaningful minutes in years deserve it over Ricci. Sure they might not be starters but given the rest of the selection I am not so sure.
Yes, get the WC spot
Hi everyone
Does anyone have ticket for tomorrow’s match Milan Torino? I want to see game inside stadium. It is one of my dreams to be in San siro and tomorrow i will be in Milano In Shaa Allah. If anyone who lives in Milan please let me know
Italy just don’t have that many talented individuals.
That’s all there is to it,
When the number of good players on the team you can count on 2 hands, the chances that YOUR team has one of those players goes down exponentially.
Italy just suck man, face facts.
We have the one of the Captains of France, the Captain of USA and the Captain of Croatia playing for us right now. Just shows the level of player you have on the Peninsula.
Italy, will win, both games, easy.
Milan’s Italian players are just not good enough unfortunately. I must say outside of Barella and Tonali, that Italy midfield does not have a ton a quality.
That’s fair. Who are ours that better than the names? Ricci? Gabbia? Bartesaghi?
Nah