UEFA Nations League

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Nations League | League A

Sep 23, 2022 at 7.45pm UK

Italy
1 - 0
England

Raspadori (68')
Bonucci (48'), Di Lorenzo (80')

FT(HT: 0-0)

Grealish (90+4')

Leeds United's Wilfried Gnonto named in Italy squad for Nations League

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter

Published: September 17 2022 | 01:08

Last updated: September 17 2022 | 11:30

Wilfried Gnonto named in Italy squad for Nations League

Leeds United's 18-year-old forward Wilfried Gnonto is called up to Roberto Mancini's 29-man Italy squad ahead of this month's Nations League fixtures against England and Hungary.

Leeds United summer signing Wilfried Gnonto has been called up to Roberto Mancini's 29-man Italy squad ahead of this month's UEFA Nations League fixtures against England and Hungary.

The 18-year-old forward arrived at Elland Road on deadline day from Swiss outfit FC Zurich, but he is yet to make a senior appearances under Jesse Marsch.

Gnonto did, however, make his first appearance for the club's Under-21s on Friday night, which saw Leeds run out 6-2 winners in the Premier League 2 against Southampton, with Patrick Bamford scoring a hat-trick on his return from injury.

Gnonto has already received four senior international caps for the Azzurri, and he provided an assist on his debut against Germany in the Nations League on June 4.

Just 10 days later, the teenager became Italy's youngest-ever goalscorer against the same opposition when he netted a consolation strike in a 5-2 away defeat, breaking a 63-year record previously set by Bruno Nicole.

Gnonto will now compete with the likes of West Ham United's Gianluca Scamacca and Lazio's Ciro Immobile for a place in Mancini's attack this month.

With Italy not competing at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, following their shock playoff exit to North Macedonia earlier this year, Mancini has decided to freshen up his squad and provide opportunities for a number of players who were previously not viewed as regular starters.

Italy coach Roberto Mancini on March 29, 2022 © Reuters

Lazio goalkeeper Ivan Provedel, Empoli stopper Guglielmo Vicario and Salernitana defender Pasquale Mazzocchi are three fresh face who have received their first international call-ups.

Gnonto is one of four Premier League representatives in Mancini's squad along with West Ham duo Scamacca and Emerson Palmieri as well as Chelsea's Jorginho.

There were suggestions that Udinese's Destiny Udogie – on loan from Tottenham Hotspur – and Juventus' Fabio Miretti could also be handed their first senior call-up, but both players will instead represent the Under-21s this month.

The likes of AC Milan's Alessandro Florenzi, Lazio's Manuel Lazzari, Juventus' Manuel Locatelli and Sassuolo's Domenico Berardi will not be involved this month as they are ruled out with injuries.

There is also no sign of veteran defender Giorgio Chiellini, who retired from international football after Italy's 3-0 Finalissima defeat to Argentina in June.

Meanwhile, Roma duo Andrea Belotti and Leonardo Spinazzola, as well as Toronto pair Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernadeschi, are all fit, but Mancini has opted against selecting them in his squad.

Italy are scheduled to face England at San Siro in their penultimate League A Group 3 match on September 23, before traveling to Puskas Arena Park to face group leaders Hungary in their final match three days later.

Italy's 29-man squad in full:

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

Defenders: Francesco Acerbi (Inter Milan), Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Federico Dimarco (Inter Milan), Emerson Palmieri (West Ham United), Federico Gatti (Juventus), Luiz Felipe (Real Betis), Pasquale Mazzocchi (Salernitana), Rafael Toloi (Atalanta BC)

Midfielders: Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan), Bryan Cristante (Roma), Jorginho (Chelsea), Lorenzo Pellegrini (Roma), Tommaso Pobega (AC Milan), Sandro Tonali (AC Milan), Marco Verratti (Paris Saint-Germain)

Forwards: Matteo Cancellieri (Lazio), Wilfried Gnonto (Leeds United), Vincenzo Grifo (Freiburg), Ciro Immobile (Lazio), Matteo Politano (Napoli), Giacomo Raspadori (Napoli), Gianluca Scamacca (West Ham United), Alessio Zerbin (Napoli)