Italy announce squad for October International break

Italy have a tough test away against England

Luciano Spalletti has named a 27-man squad for the upcoming UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and England. This is his second international break as the head coach of the Italian national team.

Italy play their first qualifier at home against Malta at the Stadio San Nicola (Saint Nicholas Stadium). Their second match is a trip away to the Wembley Stadium in England.

Italy are in Group C alongside Ukraine, North Macedonia and the two opponents they will be facing in the October international break.

Luciano Spalletti will manage the Italian national team for the third time. He took over Roberto Mancini's reign and had to settle for a draw in his first match. Italy won their second match under the former Napoli manager 2-1 against Ukraine at home.

Italy are level on points with Ukraine and North Macedonia on seven points but have played a game less. England leads the group with four wins and a draw.

Moise Kean returns to the squad after a long absence since October 2021. Ciro Immobile is out injured and Kean gets a crucial opportunity in his place.

Tottenham Hotspur's Destiny Udogie gets his maiden international call-up. His Spurs teammate Guglielmo Vicario is also in the squad.

Giacomo Bonaventura also returns from a long absence since October 2020.

Italy squad for October international break

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain), Alex Meret (Napoli), Ivan Provedel (Lazio), Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham Hotspur)

Defenders: Francesco Acerbi (Inter Milan), Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan), Cristiano Biraghi (Fiorentina), Matteo Darmian (Inter Milan), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Federico Dimarco (Inter Milan), Federico Gatti (Juventus), Gianluca Mancini (Roma), Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta), Destiny Udogie (Tottenham)

Midfielders: Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan), Giacomo Bonaventura (Fiorentina), Bryan Cristante (Roma), Davide Frattesi (Inter Milan), Manuel Locatelli (Juventus), Sandro Tonali (Newcastle United)

Forwards: Domenico Berardi (Sassuolo), Federico Chiesa (Juventus), Moise Kean (Juventus), Giacomo Raspadori (Napoli), Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta), Mattia Zaccagni (Lazio), Nicolo Zaniolo (Aston Villa)