Italy have announced their provisional squad for the upcoming Euro 2024 in Germany.
The Italians are the defending champions after they beat Gareth Southgate’s England at Wembley three years ago.
However, since their victory, Roberto Mancini has vacated his role after their failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
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Now, ahead of their defence of the Euro trophy, Luciano Spalleti has announced his provisional squad.
Only 10 remain from the squad that went all the way three years ago - Donnarumma, Meret, Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Jorginho, Chiesa, Acerbi, Cristante, Barella and Raspadori.
There were some big names that missed out, Tottenham Hotspur star Destiny Udogie, who has impressed in the Premier League this season was overlooked due to his injury.
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Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali was an expected absentee due to his ban.
The biggest surprise of them all was the decision to leave out Juventus star Manuel Locatelli.
Reacting on social media, one fan said: “No Locatelli, this must be a joke.”
Another tweeted: “He did not include Locatelli in the Euro squad. Incredibly disgraceful decision, incredible!”
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A third fan added: “Spalletti is an idiot, how can you leave Locatelli and Gatti out?”
Apart from the above-mentioned players, the likes of Ciro Immobile, Matteo Politano, Davide Zappacosta and Moise Kean.
The Italy Euro 2024 provisional squad in full:
Goalkeepers -
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Donnarumma, Meret, Provedel, Vicario
Defenders -
Acerbi, Bastoni, Bellanova, Buongiorno, Calafiori, Cambiaso, Darmian, Di Lorenzo, Dimarco, Mancini, Scalvini
Midfielders -
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Barella, Cristante, Fagioli, Folorunsho, Frattesi, Jorginho, Pellegrini, Ricci
Attackers -
Chiesa, El Shaarawy, Orsolini, Raspadori, Retegui, Scamacca, Zaccagni
Italy are the latest big nation to announce their player selection for the tournament. So far, England, Germany, Portugal, the Netherlands and France have all announced their preliminary squads.
Spalleti's men will be up against Albania, Spain and Croatia in the group stage.
Featured Image Credit: GettyTopics: Euro 2024, Football, Italy, Fan Reactions
Marcus Chan