Italy debutant Pietro Comuzzo admits Giorgio Chiellini is his idol, but he wants to become a ‘complete’ defender, so he’s eager to learn from Alessandro Bastoni and Riccardo Calafiori.

Fiorentina defender Comuzzo has earned his first Italy call-up in November thanks to impressive performances with the Tuscans.

“Every kid playing football and watching the national team on TV dreams of becoming like them,” the 19-year-old centre-back said at a press conference on Tuesday, as quoted by TMW.

“Coming here is the biggest dream I could have fulfilled. I haven’t celebrated. I have done nothing special.

Italy debutant admires Chiellini and wants to learn from Calafiori

“I’ve received many messages, but the nicest one was from my father. I’ve spoken to many of my ex-coaches, and I’ll always be grateful for their help in reaching the national team.

“The ‘Inno di Mameli’ [Italy’s national anthem] is the best in the world, and it makes you feel the importance and beauty of this country. Singing it on the pitch is the best thing I could imagine.”

Italy coach Luciano Spalletti was impressed by Comuzzo’s physicality, and it’s no coincidence that it was also the primary skill set of the promising defender’s idol, Chiellini.

“He is. I enjoyed the Euros in 2021, and watching Chiellini play those matches and lift the trophy was an immense joy,” said Comuzzo.

“I feel at ease with man-marking. I like duels. It’s what I like the most, but I don’t want to limit myself, I want to improve technically and in the build-up. I want to learn from Bastoni and Calafiori and become a complete defender.”

Comuzzo will train with Bastoni during the November break, while Calafiori has been ruled out of games against Belgium and France due to a knee injury he sustained in October with Arsenal.

Fiorentina beat Hellas Verona 3-1 on Sunday and are just one point below table leaders Napoli.

“Palladino gives me advice on how to improve,” said Comuzzo.

“The best thing about Fiorentina is the group. We are there because we deserve it and we want to remain there for as long as possible, but now I am only focused on the national team.”

Italy will visit Belgium this coming Thursday and host France at San Siro on Sunday, November 17. Which game would Comuzzo like to be involved in?

“It’s an incredible emotion to be here. If I had to choose one, I’d say the France game because it is at San Siro, but facing Lukaku would be a great test,” he concluded.

Italy striker Moise Kean told his critics: ‘They ain’t think I would do it, but I did it’ in a social media post after netting an impressive hat-trick during Fiorentina’s 3-1 victory over Hellas Verona in Serie A on Sunday afternoon. 

A treble from the former Juventus and PSG centre-forward helped La Viola to their sixth consecutive victory in Serie A. Raffaele Palladino’s side also have seven wins from their last eight matches across all competitions. 

The Italy international pulled off three striker’s finishes within the penalty area to complete his hat-trick against Verona, finishing from close range on his first two attempts, before latching onto a long David De Gea ball over the top for his third in second-half injury time. 

Kean: ‘They ain’t think I would do it, but I did it’

“They ain’t think I would do it, but I did it,” Kean wrote in a celebratory post on Instagram in the aftermath of Fiorentina’s 3-1 win over Verona. 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Moise kean (@moise_kean)

Fiorentina now sit in third place in the Serie A table, one point off the league leaders, Napoli. The same is also true of Atalanta, Lazio and Inter, who sit in second, fourth and fifth respectively on goal difference.

La Gazzetta dello Sport 

Scudetto mix

Six teams within two points

Napoli ahead with McTominay, Calhanoglu responds but then misses a penalty. Conte stays in first but contests the usage of VAR. Atalanta, Lazio and Fiorentina (Kean hat-trick!) move within -1. Juve -2. 

Roma, Juric gone

Mancini in pole, Garcia alternative 

Corriere dello Sport

Conte on summit 

Napoli stop Inter and Ancotino attacks VAR

San Siro challenge ends 1-1: Azzurri seal top spot 

McTominay scores, Calhanoglu fights back. Then the Turk misses a penalty: Ball hits the post. Harsh from the coach: ‘A sensational mistake, whoever was in charge of the video should have intervened, this is how ulterior motives cane arise’

End of a Roma

Juric sacked, a new coach coming in, Garcia rising 

Revolution after the 3-2 defeat against Bologna and the protests of the fans at the Olimpico. Ghisolfi: ‘We apoligise, it’s our fault’. Allegri the dream, The fFrenchman advances. Italiano flies with Castro, Orsolini and Karlsson

Lazio and Fiorentina, wonderful thoughts 

Baroni with a routine win in Monza through Zaccagni (0-1): It’s the 10th victory in the last 11. Palladino overwhelms Verona (3-1 thanks to Kean (hat-trick): 6th victory in a row. Gasp doesn’t stop: Atalanta beat Udinese (2-1)

Tuttosport 

Juve and Weah attracting David 

Bianconeri signals from the Lille bomber 

The ‘like’ that was sent to the American from Juve, who celebrates the derby performance, which matches his agent’s words: ‘I knew he’d explode with Motta. And Jonathan? A 20-goal striker’ 

Meanwhile, Kean (hat-trick) boosts La Viola 

Inter penalty infuriates Conte 

McTominay-Calhanoglu: Inter-Napoli 1-1 

The Turk misses from the spot, but Antonio shouts: ‘VAR has to intervene if there’s been a mistake, always though’ 

Scudetto pile-up: Six teams within two points 

A new march for a new Toro 

Procession before the match against Monza

The Granata mobilise again, dreaming of a corporate turnover. Meanwhile: Vanoli’s outbursts in the dressing room. Somnetti, who won two derbies: ‘Toro heartless, I could have smashed up the tv’

Raffaele Palladino reveals how long he has believed in Moise Kean’s capabilities and why he is ‘not looking at the table’ now Fiorentina are temporarily on top.

There were no doubts over who would get the Serie A Man of the Match award, because Moise Kean bagged all three goals in the Viola’s 3-1 victory over Hellas Verona.

It was his first ever hat-trick in one of the top five League tournaments, having played in Serie A, the Premier League and Ligue 1, taking his tally to 11 goals in 14 competitive games this season.

To make it even more special, Italy coach Luciano Spalletti was in the stands to watch the performance ahead of the Nations League ties with Belgium and France.

Palladino an early Kean fan

“I will not deny that I already wanted Kean when I was at Monza,” revealed Palladino in his press conference.

“I saw him as a great striker who has it all. He just needs to continue like this and stay in good shape physically, the rest is just the fruits of his daily work in training and the help from his team.

“Everyone attacked and defended together today, which was not easy, as Verona were focused on the counter-attack.”

Fiorentina are on fire at the moment, as while they were beaten 2-1 in Nicosia by APOEL in the Conference League on Thursday evening when rotating the squad, this was their sixth consecutive Serie A victory.

It put them temporarily top of the table on 25 points, the same as Atalanta and awaiting tonight’s showdown Napoli too.

“Whether we stay in that position depends on us, how we train, our attitude, the intensity and spirit we put into every match,” continued Palladino.

“The squad is competitive and we want to continue growing. I don’t care about the table right now and I am not looking at it.

“What we are searching for is maturity, because Serie A is not easy, you can be up against teams who attack and others who defend with four or five men. It takes patience to unpick that lock, along with intelligence and maturity. We struggled a little in the first half, but dominated the second.”

Defender Pietro Comuzzo received his first call-up for the senior Italy squad ahead of the Nations League matches against Belgium and France.

“It was strange that he was in the Under-20 side and then skipped the Under-21 level entirely. He had always worked well, but the hard stuff comes now and I told him he’s just got to keep working the same way.”

Palladino had a special dedication to Jonathan Ikone, who was absent following a death in the family.

Moise Kean bagged a sensational hat-trick to give Fiorentina their sixth consecutive Serie A victory and put them temporarily joint top of the table, sinking Verona.

The Viola saw their run of seven consecutive victories in all competition ended by a surprise 2-1 Conference League defeat away to APOEL Nicosia on Thursday. Albert Gudmundsson and Danilo Cataldi were still nursing injuries, while Hellas were celebrating the 3-2 win over Roma. Jackson Tchatchoua and Reda Belahyane were back from suspension, though Dailon Livramento was banned instead, plus Pawel Dawidowicz, Juan Manuel Cruz and Martin Frese long-term absentees.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

It took under four minutes to break the deadlock, as Lucas Beltran threaded a through ball for Moise Kean to hold off Giangiacomo Magnani and slide the finish past Lorenzo Montipò from 10 yards. It was the Italy international’s third consecutive league game on target.

David de Gea had to palm a dangerous Darko Lazovic cross off the feet of Casper Tentgstedt, but the goalkeeper could do little when Suat Serdar unleashed a right-foot screamer from outside the D into the near top corner to draw Verona level.

Pietro Comuzzo was celebrating his first senior Italy call-up, but was left needing stitches after a cut to his eyebrow.

Yacine Adli’s free kick tested Montipò at the near post, while Andrea Colpani hit a scorcher inches wide from distance after the restart.

Fiorentina restored their advantage with that man Kean again, who held off Magnani to lift his leg and volley in an Adli corner from five yards with an acrobatic finish.

Beltran’s snapshot forced a tricky save from the edge of the box, while Montipò parried the Colpani effort with Riccardo Sottil turning the rebound over.

Kean should’ve completed his hat-trick to put the result beyond doubt on 83 minutes when Christian Kouame robbed Ondrej Duda in midfield and drew out the goalkeeper, but the Italian incredibly ballooned over an empty net from 12 yards.

Domagoj Bradaric went off for Hellas with a suspected broken nose following an accidental collision with Kean, while the Italian’s angled drive was also off target.

Kean finally completed his hat-trick in stoppages when running onto the long David De Gea ball, cutting inside the defender and drilling into the far bottom corner with the inside of the right boot.

Fiorentina 3-1 Verona

Kean 4, 59, 92 (F), Serdar 18 (V)

10-11-2024 14:00

MatchDay 12

Artemio Franchi Stadium

Fiorentina

Verona

3 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

Moise Kean (Assist: Lucas Beltrán)		4'
		18'		Suat Serdar
		35'		Diego Coppola

2nd half

		54'		Suat Serdar
Moise Kean (Assist: Yacine Adli)		59'
Moise Kean (Assist: David de Gea)		90+2'
Moise Kean		90+3'

Match statistic

61

Possession %

39

11

Total shots

8

6

Shots on target

2

4

Shots off target

3

1

Blocked shots

3

8

Corners

3

6

Offsides

3

1

Fouls

19

Fiorentina

Verona

Starting lineups

43

David de Gea

Goalkeeper

2

Dodô

Defender

6

Luca Ranieri

Defender

15

Pietro Comuzzo

Defender

23

Andrea Colpani

Midfielder

83'

4

Edoardo Bove

Midfielder

87'

21

Robin Gosens

Midfielder

29

Yacine Adli

Midfielder

77'

9

Lucas Beltrán

Attacker

77'

20

Moise Kean

Attacker

7

Riccardo Sottil

Attacker

83'

1

Lorenzo Montipò

Goalkeeper

42

Diego Coppola

Defender

12

Domagoj Bradaric

Defender

81'

23

Giangiacomo Magnani

Defender

18

Abdou Harroui

Midfielder

8

Darko Lazovic

Midfielder

74'

33

Ondrej Duda

Midfielder

25

Suat Serdar

Midfielder

75'

11

Casper Tengstedt

Attacker

66'

38

Jackson Tchatchoua

Attacker

31

Tomas Suslov

Attacker

66'

Substitutes

3

Cristiano Biraghi

Defender

1

Pietro Terracciano

Goalkeeper

28

Lucas Martínez Quarta

Defender

5

Marin Pongracic

Defender

30

Tommaso Martinelli

Goalkeeper

22

Matías Moreno

Defender

66

Tommaso Rubino

Midfielder

99

Christian Kouamé

Attacker

77'

24

Amir Richardson

Midfielder

77'

65

Fabiano Parisi

Defender

83'

33

Michael Kayode

Defender

83'

8

Rolando Mandragora

Midfielder

87'

5

Davide Faraoni

Defender

34

Simone Perilli

Goalkeeper

15

Yllan Okou

Defender

29

Faride Alidou

Attacker

98

Federico Magro

Goalkeeper

80

Alphadjo Cissè

Attacker

87

Daniele Ghilardi

Defender

17

Ayanda Sishuba

Midfielder

7

Mathis Lambourde

Attacker

21

Dani Silva

Midfielder

6

Reda Belahyane

Midfielder

66'

35

Daniel Mosquera

Attacker

66'

9

Amin Sarr

Attacker

74'

20

Grigoris Kastanos

Midfielder

75'

4

Flavius Daniliuc

Defender

81'

Turkish media Takvim reports that José Mourinho’s Fenerbahce are interested in Fiorentina defender Cristiano Biraghi and have already opened talks with the 32-year-old.

Fenerbahce want to sign Fiorentina left-back Biraghi, according to a report from Takvim in Turkey.

The experienced defender’s contract runs out in June, but Mourinho and Fenerbahce plan to sign the Italy international in the January transfer window.

Fenerbahce and Mourinho in talks for Serie A defender – report

According to the report, preliminary discussions have already begun, and Mourinho is constantly in contact with the club’s management to advance negotiations.

If Fenerbahce complete the deal in January, Biraghi will reunite with his ex-Fiorentina teammate Sofyan Amrabat.

Biraghi is the Fiorentina captain but has lost his starting status since new Viola coach Raffaele Palladino switched to a four-man defence, promoting Robin Gosens to the starting left-back position.

Biraghi has made 12 appearances across all competitions this season, grabbing one goal and one assist.

He has played 314 games in Serie A, scoring 15 goals and providing 38 assists.

Check the official line-ups for this afternoon’s Serie A games, as Roma do without Paulo Dybala against Bologna and Fiorentina face Verona.

They both kick off at 14.00 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s five Serie A matches on the Liveblog.

Roma vs. Bologna

The Giallorossi are without Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini due to muscular issues, with Mario Hermoso and Alexis Saelemaekers still on the treatment table.

Stephan El Shaarawy, Matias Soulé and Nicolò Pisilli therefore step into the starting XI to support Artem Dovbyk.

Bologna’s form has been improving steadily in Serie A with back-to-back victories, but they stumbled again in the Champions League with a 1-0 home defeat to AS Monaco.

Martin Erlic, Oussama El Azzouzi, Michel Aebischer and Nicolò Cambiaghi are still out injured.

Roma vs. Bologna line-ups

Roma: Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Angelino; Celik, Cristante, Koné, El Shaarawy; Soulé, Pisilli; Dovbyk

Bologna: Skorupski; De Silvestri, Beukema, Lucumì, Miranda; Freuler, Pobega; Orsolini, Odgaard, Ndoye; Castro

10-11-2024 14:00

MatchDay 12

Stadio Olimpico

Roma

Bologna

2 - 3

Roma

Bologna

Starting lineups

99

Mile Svilar

Goalkeeper

3

Angeliño

Defender

5

Evan Ndicka

Defender

23

Gianluca Mancini

Defender

19

Zeki Celik

Defender

61'

4

Bryan Cristante

Midfielder

17

Manu Koné

Midfielder

80'

61

Niccolò Pisilli

Midfielder

61'

11

Artem Dovbyk

Attacker

18

Matìas Soulé

Attacker

58'

92

Stephan El Shaarawy

Attacker

1

Lukasz Skorupski

Goalkeeper

26

Jhon Lucumí

Defender

33

Juan Miranda

Defender

29

Lorenzo De Silvestri

Defender

46'

31

Sam Beukema

Defender

8

Remo Freuler

Midfielder

18

Tommaso Pobega

Midfielder

11

Dan Ndoye

Attacker

23'

21

Jens Odgaard

Attacker

67'

7

Riccardo Orsolini

Attacker

84'

9

Santiago Castro

Attacker

68'

Substitutes

15

Mats Hummels

Defender

98

Mathew Ryan

Goalkeeper

12

Saud Abdulhamid

Defender

28

Enzo Le Fée

Midfielder

89

Renato Marin

Goalkeeper

66

Buba Sangaré

Defender

14

Eldor Shomurodov

Attacker

58'

35

Tommaso Baldanzi

Midfielder

61'

26

Samuel Dahl

Midfielder

61'

16

Leandro Paredes

Midfielder

80'

22

Charalampos Lykogiannis

Defender

82

Kacper Urbanski

Midfielder

23

Nicola Bagnolini

Goalkeeper

34

Federico Ravaglia

Goalkeeper

6

Nikola Moro

Midfielder

19

Lewis Ferguson

Midfielder

2

Emil Holm

Defender

14

Samuel Iling-Junior

Attacker

16

Tommaso Corazza

Defender

30

Benjamín Domínguez

Attacker

10

Jesper Karlsson

Attacker

23'

3

Stefan Posch

Defender

46'

80

Giovanni Fabbian

Midfielder

67'

24

Thijs Dallinga

Attacker

68'

15

Nicolò Casale

Defender

84'

Fiorentina vs. Verona

Albert Gudmundsson and Danilo Cataldi are still carrying knocks for Fiorentina, who surprisingly lost in the Conference League to APOEL on Thursday evening.

Verona welcome Jackson Tchatchoua and Reda Belahyane back from suspension, though they are replaced on the naughty step by Dailon Livramento.

Pawel Dawidowicz, Juan Manuel Cruz and Martin Frese are long-term absentees.

Fiorentina vs. Verona line-ups

Fiorentina: De Gea; Dodo, Comuzzo, Ranieri, Gosens; Bove, Adli; Colpani, Beltran, Sottil; Kean

Verona: Montipò; Tchatchoua, Magnani, Coppola, Bradaric; Serdar, Duda; Suslov, Harroui, Lazovic; Tengstedt

10-11-2024 14:00

MatchDay 12

Artemio Franchi Stadium

Fiorentina

Verona

3 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

Moise Kean (Assist: Lucas Beltrán)		4'
		18'		Suat Serdar
		35'		Diego Coppola

2nd half

		54'		Suat Serdar
Moise Kean (Assist: Yacine Adli)		59'
Moise Kean (Assist: David de Gea)		90+2'
Moise Kean		90+3'

Match statistic

61

Possession %

39

11

Total shots

8

6

Shots on target

2

4

Shots off target

3

1

Blocked shots

3

8

Corners

3

6

Offsides

3

1

Fouls

19

Fiorentina

Verona

Starting lineups

43

David de Gea

Goalkeeper

2

Dodô

Defender

6

Luca Ranieri

Defender

15

Pietro Comuzzo

Defender

23

Andrea Colpani

Midfielder

83'

4

Edoardo Bove

Midfielder

87'

21

Robin Gosens

Midfielder

29

Yacine Adli

Midfielder

77'

9

Lucas Beltrán

Attacker

77'

20

Moise Kean

Attacker

7

Riccardo Sottil

Attacker

83'

1

Lorenzo Montipò

Goalkeeper

42

Diego Coppola

Defender

12

Domagoj Bradaric

Defender

81'

23

Giangiacomo Magnani

Defender

18

Abdou Harroui

Midfielder

8

Darko Lazovic

Midfielder

74'

33

Ondrej Duda

Midfielder

25

Suat Serdar

Midfielder

75'

11

Casper Tengstedt

Attacker

66'

38

Jackson Tchatchoua

Attacker

31

Tomas Suslov

Attacker

66'

Substitutes

3

Cristiano Biraghi

Defender

1

Pietro Terracciano

Goalkeeper

28

Lucas Martínez Quarta

Defender

5

Marin Pongracic

Defender

30

Tommaso Martinelli

Goalkeeper

22

Matías Moreno

Defender

66

Tommaso Rubino

Midfielder

99

Christian Kouamé

Attacker

77'

24

Amir Richardson

Midfielder

77'

65

Fabiano Parisi

Defender

83'

33

Michael Kayode

Defender

83'

8

Rolando Mandragora

Midfielder

87'

5

Davide Faraoni

Defender

34

Simone Perilli

Goalkeeper

15

Yllan Okou

Defender

29

Faride Alidou

Attacker

98

Federico Magro

Goalkeeper

80

Alphadjo Cissè

Attacker

87

Daniele Ghilardi

Defender

17

Ayanda Sishuba

Midfielder

7

Mathis Lambourde

Attacker

21

Dani Silva

Midfielder

6

Reda Belahyane

Midfielder

66'

35

Daniel Mosquera

Attacker

66'

9

Amin Sarr

Attacker

74'

20

Grigoris Kastanos

Midfielder

75'

4

Flavius Daniliuc

Defender

81'

Four players in Luciano Spalletti’s most recent Italy national team squad will be hoping to earn their debuts during Nations League fixtures against Belgium and France in November, including three who have earned their first ever call-ups to the senior squad. 

Here are the new faces among the Italy squad. 

Four uncapped players included in Italy squad 

Spalletti has handed first call-ups to three players in Pietro Comuzzo, Nicolo Savona and Nicolo Rovella. Caleb Okoli is also in the squad, which makes it three consecutive call-ups, but he is yet to get out on the pitch for the Nazionale. 

Comuzzo, at just 19 years of age, has been called into the squad at centre-back while Riccardo Calafiori and Matteo Gabbia sit out with injuries. 

He and Okoli will be particularly hopeful of minutes this camp, as they are two of five recognised centre-backs in a team that usually plays in a back three. There are other options for one of those roles as well, of course, such as Giovanni Di Lorenzo, while Alessandro Bastoni and Alessandro Buongiorno are practically nailed-on starters this time around. 

Savona has also been included in the senior squad for the Belgium and France games. He only earned his first U21 call-up last month after an impressive start to life in the Juventus first team. 

There is also a first inclusion for Lazio midfielder Rovella, who has played an important role in helping the Biancocelesti win nine out of their last 10 matches in all competitions. 

Italy will play against Belgium on November 14 and then at home against France in San Siro three days later on November 17.

Official: Spalletti confirms 23-man Italy squad for November fixtures

Pietro Comuzzo was one of the surprise inclusions in Luciano Spalletti’s latest Italy national team squad after an impressive start to life in the Fiorentina first-team. Here is everything you need to know about the Viola defender and why he has been selected for the Azzurri. 

Who is Pietro Comuzzo?

Comuzzo was born just outside of Udine, and had a brief year in the Udinese youth ranks before moving on to Pordenone for the 2017-18 season. 

Fiorentina signed him as a 14-year-old in 2018. He then appeared as the captain of the U18s side a few years later and has enjoyed a rapid rise through the youth ranks to the senior set-up over the last year and a half. 

Comuzzo began training with the Fiorentina first team under Vincenzo Italiano at the beginning of the 2023-24 season, and made his Serie A debut as a second-half substitute in a 3-1 win over Napoli in October 2023. 

After the appointment of Raffaele Palladino this summer, Comuzzo’s stock has risen even higher in Tuscany. He was selected as a starter for the 1-1 draw with Parma in Fiorentina’s first Serie A match of the season, and has since started in nine out of 11 possible league matches. 

Comuzo rise with Italy: Why he earned November call-up

The teenager has enjoyed a rapid rise through the Italy ranks as well, as he has passed through three different age categories over the last month, teaming up with the U20s in September, skipping the U21s in October and now the senior side in November. 

He was one of two changes at centre-back in Spalletti’s latest Italy squad, as Riccardo Calafiori and Matteo Gabbia were both left out of the November squad due to injury. Comuzzo and Federico Gatti were called in to replace then. 

Praised for his strength, solidity and reading of the game, La Gazzetta dello Sport claim that he ‘looks like a 30-year-old’ on the pitch. 

Comuzzo cites Leonardo Bonucci and Virgil van Dijk as his role models at centre-back.

Carlo Nunziata has named a 27-player squad for Italy U21s’ upcoming matches against France and Ukraine in November, including Roma’s Tommaso Baldanzi, Chelsea’s Cesare Casadei and Leeds United’s Wilfried Gnonto. 

The Azzurrini will play in friendlies against France at the Stadio Castellani in Empoli on November 15, and then at the Stadio Alberto Picco in La Spezia against Ukraine on November 19. 

Established Serie A options have been included at full-back in Michael Kayode of Fiorentina and Atalanta’s Matteo Ruggeri. 

There are plenty of enticing options in midfield as well, as Tommaso Baldanzi stays with the U21s, despite some calls for him to be included in Luciano Spalletti’s senior squad. 

Edoardo Bove is in the mix as well, as are Chelsea talent Cesare Casadei, Fabio Miretti and Giovanni Fabbian, the latter of whom has four Champions League appearances this term. 

Wilfried Gnonto of Leeds, who has seven goal involvements from 14 Championship matches this season, is included among the forwards. 

Italy U21 squad confirmed for November fixtures 

Goalkeepers: Desplanches, Sassi, Zacchi. 

Defenders: Bertola, Bonfanti, Coppola, Ghilardi, Guarino, Kayode, Palestra, Pirola, Ruggeri, Turicchia, Zanotti. 

Midfielders: Baldanzi, Bianco, Bove, Casadei, Fabbian, Miretti, Ndour, Prati. 

Forwards: Ambrosino. F.P. Esposito, Gnonto, Koleosho, Volpato.

#Under21

I 2⃣7⃣ #Azzurrini convocati da Carmine #Nunziata per le sfide contro Francia e Ucraina

https://t.co/sEHGxNaD5J#VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/tVmGD5nPEu

— Nazionale Italiana (@Azzurri) November 8, 2024

Luciano Spalletti has officially confirmed his Italy national team squad for November’s Nations League fixtures against Belgium and France, including first call-ups for Nicolo Savona, Pietro Comuzzo and Nicolo Rovella. 

Italy will play their fifth and sixth Nations League matches of the season away against Belgium on November 14 and then against France in San Siro on November 17. 

There are a few changes compared to Spalletti’s last Nations League squad back in October. Centre-backs Riccardo Calafiori and Matteo Gabbia miss out through injury, which means a return for Federico Gatti and a first senior call-up for 19-year-old Comuzzo. 

Nicolo Barella is in the squad after missing out in October while he had an operation on his nose. Nicolo Rovella is also included after Lazio’s strong start to the 2024-25 season. 

Niccolo Pisilli and Daniel Maldini, who earned their first call-ups in October, remain with the squad for the November fixtures. 

Official: Spalletti confirms latest Italy squad 

Goalkeepers: Donnarumma (PSG), Vicario (Tottenham), Meret (Napoli). 

Defenders: Bastoni (Inter), Buongiorno (Napoli), Cambiaso (Juventus), Comuzzo (Fiorentina), Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Dimarco (Inter), Gatti (Juventus), Okoli (Leicester City), Savona (Juventus), Udogie (Tottenham). 

Midfielders: Barella (Inter), Frattesi (Inter), Pisilli (Roma), Ricci (Torino), Rovella (Lazio), Tonali (Newcastle). 

Forwards: Kean (Fiorentina), Maldini (Monza), Raspadori (Napoli), Retegui (Atalanta).

𝑵𝒂𝒛𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒆

La lista dei 23 convocati del Ct Luciano #Spalletti per i due impegni in Nations League contro Belgio e Francia

https://t.co/m9hi8fRKbU#Nazionale #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/gTTxpxbfvF

— Nazionale Italiana (@Azzurri) November 8, 2024

Serie A clubs’ results in European competitions this week pushed Italy to third place in the UEFA coefficient ranking, below Portugal and England.

Italy are close to claiming second place in the UEFA coefficient ranking after the latest round of Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League matches.

The updated ranking (via Transfermarkt) sees Serie A clubs move to third place with 8,7500 points for the ongoing 2024-25 campaign.

Italy close in on second spot in UEFA ranking for extra Champions League place

Portugal sit second with 9,200 points, while England are the current leaders with 9,428.

At the end of the season, the first two countries will get an extra spot in the 2025-26 Champions League.

Italy secured an extra Champions League place last week, finishing first in the UEFA coefficient ranking. Therefore, fifth-placed Bologna qualified for the competition for the first time in over 60 years.

Inter, Milan, Juventus, and Atalanta qualified for the Champions League via Serie A last term, although La Dea also gained access to the competition with their remarkable Europa League victory.

Raffaele Palladino identifies where Fiorentina got it wrong in their surprise 2-1 Conference League defeat to APOEL in Nicosia. ‘They hurt us with those two counter-attacks.’

The Viola had been on sparkling form going to Cyprus with seven consecutive victories in all competition, including two in the Conference League against The New Saints and St. Gallen.

However, they conceded twice in quick succession before half-time from Anastasios Donis breaking the offside trap and David Abagna making the most of a lucky ricochet.

Jonathan Ikone’s angled drive did get them back into it, but APOEL defended well to maintain the 2-1 result.

See how the game unfolded on the Liveblog.

Palladino identifies Fiorentina mistakes

“I think we prepared in the right way and controlled the game from the start, but these are teams who defend with a low block and only try to counter-attack. We knew that incidents would be decisive and they hurt us with those two counter-attacks,” Palladino told Sky Sport Italia.

“It became complicated to get it back on track at 2-0 down. We certainly could’ve done better with a few technical errors, but we will analyse what happened and keep our balance as we prepare for the next match.”

The squad rotation seemed a little excessive in defence, as the players did not appear to be entirely comfortable with each other.

“Defenders know that the more they work together, the quicker they understand each other. However, I don’t think it was purely about the defence, because when you allow counter-attacks, that is an error on the transitions made earlier,” concluded Palladino.

The Conference League table now has Fiorentina in eighth place on six points after three rounds, already three points adrift of the leading pack.

Fiorentina saw their winning streak come to an end in Nicosia with a surprise 2-1 Conference League defeat to APOEL, as they paid for errors at both ends of the pitch.

The Viola have been on sensational form recently, winning their last seven competitive matches, including two in the Conference League against The New Saints and St Gallen. Lucas Martinez Quarta returned from suspension, with Albert Gudmundsson and Danilo Cataldi nursing injuries. APOEL dropped down from the Champions League and Europa League, missing Kingsley Sarfo following one point from two rounds.

See how it unfolded on the Liveblog.

Christian Kouame’s deflected curler was smothered by the goalkeeper, then he hoofed over the bar from 13 yards at the end of a well-worked team move.

Michael Kayode fired into the arms of Vid Belec following stepovers, while APOEL penalty appeals were rejected because the Anastasios Donis pull-back struck Martinez Quarta on the heel first and then ricocheted up onto his hand.

APOEL opened the scoring with a well-worked move, as Donis sprung the offside trap on the El-Arabi through ball and shrugged off Kayode, dinking the delicate finish over on-rushing Pietro Terracciano from eight yards.

Amir Richardson’s volley was straight at the goalkeeper moments later on a Kayode cross, but Belec had to make an acrobatic save to palm away Rolando Mandragora’s long-range screamer.

APOEL doubled their advantage with a bit of luck, because David Abagna had been successfully blocked off in the penalty area, but Kayode’s heavy touch on the clearance hit teammate Cristiano Biraghi and bounced back into the striker’s path.

Biraghi’s first touch let him down on a smart Kouame back-heel flick, while Kouame had wandered offside when his ferocious angled drive tested Belec.

Fabiano Parisi had Fiorentina penalty appeals rejected for a coming together with Tajera, but they got back into it when Ikone completed a give and go with Kouame to burst into the box and beat Belec from a tight angle with his snooker shot.

Fiorentina continued to push, but APOEL were focused in defence and Edoardo Bove fired over in stoppages.

APOEL 2-1 Fiorentina

Donis 37 (A), Abagna 45 (A), Ikone 74 (F)

07-11-2024 20:00

MatchDay 3

The Pancyprians Stadium (GSP Stadium)

APOEL

Fiorentina

2 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

Sergio Tejera		20'
Anastasios Donis (Assist: Youssef El Arabi)		37'
David Abagna		45+1'

2nd half

		48'		Matías Moreno
		72'		Lucas Martínez Quarta
		74'		Jonathan Ikoné (Assist: Christian Kouamé)
Anastasios Donis		79'
Issam Chebake		89'
Konstantinos Laifis		90+6'

Match statistic

36

Possession %

64

9

Total shots

14

2

Shots on target

6

6

Shots off target

5

1

Blocked shots

3

2

Corners

4

1

Offsides

2

12

Fouls

14

APOEL

Fiorentina

Starting lineups

27

Vid Belec

Goalkeeper

29

Issam Chebake

Defender

34

Konstantinos Laifis

Defender

16

Mateo Susic

Defender

19

Xavi Quintillà

Defender

17

David Abagna

Midfielder

70

Georgi Kostadinov

Midfielder

3

Radosav Petrovic

Midfielder

88'

8

Sergio Tejera

Midfielder

67'

11

Anastasios Donis

Attacker

79'

9

Youssef El Arabi

Attacker

88'

1

Pietro Terracciano

Goalkeeper

3

Cristiano Biraghi

Defender

57'

65

Fabiano Parisi

Defender

69'

28

Lucas Martínez Quarta

Defender

22

Matías Moreno

Defender

57'

33

Michael Kayode

Defender

24

Amir Richardson

Midfielder

65'

8

Rolando Mandragora

Midfielder

29

Yacine Adli

Midfielder

46'

99

Christian Kouamé

Attacker

11

Jonathan Ikoné

Attacker

Substitutes

77

Dieumerci Ndongala

Attacker

7

Max Meyer

Midfielder

22

Andreas Christodoulou

Goalkeeper

10

Marquinhos

Attacker

30

Marius Corbu

Midfielder

78

Savvas Michos

Goalkeeper

18

Giannis Satsias

Midfielder

67'

5

Lasha Dvali

Defender

79'

12

Algassime Bah

Attacker

88'

35

Paris Polykarpou

Midfielder

88'

7

Riccardo Sottil

Attacker

23

Andrea Colpani

Midfielder

5

Marin Pongracic

Defender

43

David de Gea

Goalkeeper

30

Tommaso Martinelli

Goalkeeper

15

Pietro Comuzzo

Defender

66

Tommaso Rubino

Midfielder

9

Lucas Beltrán

Attacker

46'

6

Luca Ranieri

Defender

57'

2

Dodô

Defender

57'

4

Edoardo Bove

Midfielder

65'

21

Robin Gosens

Midfielder

69'

Fiorentina are in Cyprus against APOEL to keep their Conference League run of wins going with Amir Richardson, Yacine Adli and Christian Kouame.

It kicks off at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia at 20.00 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game, Union Saint-Gilloise-Roma and Lazio-Porto on the Liveblog.

The Viola reached the last two editions of the Conference League Final and started this tournament with two victories over The New Saints and St Gallen.

They’ve won their last seven competitive matches in a row and are brimming with confidence.

Lucas Martinez Quarta returns from suspension, with Albert Gudmundsson and Danilo Cataldi nursing injuries.

Moise Kean and David De Gea are rested, while Adli and Rolando Mandragora take the midfield reins.

APOEL dropped down from the Champions League and then Europa League play-offs, starting this tournament with a 1-1 draw against Shamrock Rovers and 1-0 home defeat to Banja Luka.

The hosts are missing Kingsley Sarfo, but their top scorer is veteran striker Youssef El Arabi.

APOEL vs. Fiorentina line-ups

APOEL: Belec; Chebake, Petrovic, Laifis, Susic; Donis, Abagna, Kostadinos, Tejera, Quintillà; El Arabi

Fiorentina: Terracciano; Kayode, Moreno, Martinez Quarta, Biraghi; Adli, Mandragora; Ikoné, Richardson, Parisi; Kouamé

Ref: Letexier (FRA)

07-11-2024 20:00

MatchDay 3

The Pancyprians Stadium (GSP Stadium)

APOEL

Fiorentina

2 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

Sergio Tejera		20'
Anastasios Donis (Assist: Youssef El Arabi)		37'
David Abagna		45+1'

2nd half

		48'		Matías Moreno
		72'		Lucas Martínez Quarta
		74'		Jonathan Ikoné (Assist: Christian Kouamé)
Anastasios Donis		79'
Issam Chebake		89'
Konstantinos Laifis		90+6'

Match statistic

36

Possession %

64

9

Total shots

14

2

Shots on target

6

6

Shots off target

5

1

Blocked shots

3

2

Corners

4

1

Offsides

2

12

Fouls

14

APOEL

Fiorentina

Starting lineups

27

Vid Belec

Goalkeeper

29

Issam Chebake

Defender

34

Konstantinos Laifis

Defender

16

Mateo Susic

Defender

19

Xavi Quintillà

Defender

17

David Abagna

Midfielder

70

Georgi Kostadinov

Midfielder

3

Radosav Petrovic

Midfielder

88'

8

Sergio Tejera

Midfielder

67'

11

Anastasios Donis

Attacker

79'

9

Youssef El Arabi

Attacker

88'

1

Pietro Terracciano

Goalkeeper

3

Cristiano Biraghi

Defender

57'

65

Fabiano Parisi

Defender

69'

28

Lucas Martínez Quarta

Defender

22

Matías Moreno

Defender

57'

33

Michael Kayode

Defender

24

Amir Richardson

Midfielder

65'

8

Rolando Mandragora

Midfielder

29

Yacine Adli

Midfielder

46'

99

Christian Kouamé

Attacker

11

Jonathan Ikoné

Attacker

Substitutes

77

Dieumerci Ndongala

Attacker

7

Max Meyer

Midfielder

22

Andreas Christodoulou

Goalkeeper

10

Marquinhos

Attacker

30

Marius Corbu

Midfielder

78

Savvas Michos

Goalkeeper

18

Giannis Satsias

Midfielder

67'

5

Lasha Dvali

Defender

79'

12

Algassime Bah

Attacker

88'

35

Paris Polykarpou

Midfielder

88'

7

Riccardo Sottil

Attacker

23

Andrea Colpani

Midfielder

5

Marin Pongracic

Defender

43

David de Gea

Goalkeeper

30

Tommaso Martinelli

Goalkeeper

15

Pietro Comuzzo

Defender

66

Tommaso Rubino

Midfielder

9

Lucas Beltrán

Attacker

46'

6

Luca Ranieri

Defender

57'

2

Dodô

Defender

57'

4

Edoardo Bove

Midfielder

65'

21

Robin Gosens

Midfielder

69'

Former England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand joked that he and current Fiorentina goalkeeper David De Gea are ‘ageing like fine wines’ as the pair celebrate their birthdays on Thursday. 

“We are like fine wines,” Ferdinand joked on X, to which De Gea replied with an ‘old man’ emoji.  

— David de Gea (@D_DeGea) November 7, 2024

De Gea continues to impress with Fiorentina

De Gea, who joined Fiorentina as a free agent at the beginning of the 2024-25 season, turns 34 on Thursday. 

The former Manchester United goalkeeper is in the travelling Fiorentina squad for Thursday evening’s Conference League match away against APOEL in Cyprus, but there is a chance that he is rested, which would likely mean a rare outing for Pietro Terracciano. 

The former Manchester United stopper has earned widespread praise for his performances since his his move to Fiorentina. 

The Spaniard made headlines earlier this season when he saved two penalties in one game in an eventual 2-1 victory over Milan. For reference, it took him close to three years to save two penalties at the end of his Manchester United career.

Raffaele Paladino is expected to name a rotated Fiorentina side when La Viola kick off away against APOEL FC in the UEFA Conference League  on Thursday evening, as Moise Kean has not travelled, while David De Gea could be given his birthday off. 

Former Manchester United goalkeeper De Gea is among the travelling squad, but pre-match reports suggest that Palladino could start with Pietro Terracciano in goal instead. De Gea, who is celebrating his 34th birthday on Thursday, would start on the bench if that were to be the case. 

21-year-old centre-back Matias Merino could also be given another go in the Conference League. He is yet to make his debut in Serie A, but played the full 90 minutes against The North Saints and another 45 against St Gallen last time out in Europe. 

Kean has not travelled with the squad, nor has Albert Gudmundsson, so Christian Kouamé could start at centre-forward. 

Kick-off is due at 20.00 GMT. 

APOEL vs Fiorentina: Probable line-ups 

Fiorentina (4-2-3-1): Terracciano; Kayode, Moreno, Martinez Quarta, Biraghi; Adli, Mandragora; Ikoné, Richardson, Parisi; Kouamé. 

APOEL (4-2-3-1): Belec; Chebake, Petrovic, Laifis, Susic; Abagna, Tejera; Pizzi, Mejer, Marquinhos; El Arabi. 

Where to watch APOEL vs Fiorentina 

Thursday’s game will be available to view live in the UK on TNT Sports 10 and online via Discovery+. Supporters in the USA will be able to watch via Paramount+. 

Join us on the Football Italia LIVEBLOG for the pre-match build-up, in-game coverage and post match reactions as they come in.

Convocati. #APOELFiorentina pic.twitter.com/imttnWvf9d

— ACF Fiorentina (@acffiorentina) November 6, 2024

Alex Manninger, a former Arsenal, Fiorentina and Juventus keeper, is delighted that David De Gea has kept his ‘hunger’ after leaving Manchester United two years ago.

The former Austria international spoke about De Gea’s impressive performances for Fiorentina with RadioFirenzeViola.

“He’s an experienced keeper. He took a sabbatical, and it worked well,” said the 47-year-old, as quoted by TMW.

“He still has the hunger, which is essential to a goalkeeper. You must have a great keeper to be up there in the table.

“You can tell he comes from the Spanish school. He’s very prepared technically. Spanish coaches work well with keepers and you can see his technique in every intervention.”

Manninger notes Fiorentina star De Gea kept one thing after Man Utd exit

De Gea has kept four clean sheets in eight Serie A games with Fiorentina helping the Tuscans win five consecutive matches. La Viola occupy a Champions League placement, level on 22 points with Lazio and Atalanta.

“Fiorentina deserve this position for their job, including the directors,” argued Manninger.

“They’ve sold some key players, but they have made good investments, and I think they can aim for something important in Italy and Europe. They can finish in the top five in Serie A. The group and the coach have made the difference. They didn’t sign big players last summer, but they all give their best.”

De Gea left Manchester United at the end of his contract in 2022 but didn’t play for any team in the 2022-23 campaign. During his unveiling press conference at Fiorentina in August, he explained that he didn’t feel ready to join a new club after several years at Old Trafford.

The 33-year-old was the best-performing Serie A player in the opening ten rounds.

Their next league fixture is against Hellas Verona at the Stadio Franchi.