Northern Ireland v Italy (15/11/2021)

THE SQUAD: ITALY

WORDS: LIAM BLACKBURN

GIANLUIGI DONNARUMMA GOALKEEPER PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN AGE 22 CAPS 39 GOALS 0 Debuted for AC Milan as a 16-year-old and spent six seasons as their number one before joining Paris Saint-Germain in the summer. Donnarumma made his Italy debut at 17 when he replaced Gianluigi Buffon. Became number one when Buffon retired in 2018. Was named player of the tournament at Euro 2020. AGE 34 CAPS 28 GOALS 0 A four-time Ligue 1 title winner with Paris Saint- Germain, Sirigu joined Genoa in August after a four-year spell with fellow Serie A club Torino. The veteran stopper made his Italy debut back in 2010 and has appeared in games at the 2014 World Cup, Euro 2016 and Euro 2020. SALVATORE SIRIGU GOALKEEPER GENOA

EMERSON PALMIERI DEFENDER LYON AGE 27 CAPS 24 GOALS 0 Born in Sao Paulo, Emerson represented Brazil at Under-17 level but switched his allegiance to Italy in 2017. Made his senior debut in 2018 and was a regular at the recent Euros. The ex-Roma man won both a Europa League and Champions League with Chelsea but joined Lyon in August on a one-year loan. AGE 33 CAPS 21 GOALS 1 Received his first call-up in 2012 and made his senior bow two years later when Antonio Conte selected him for a match against Albania. However, he did not make his competitive debut until 2019. Now in his fourth season with Lazio, the ex- Sassuolo defender made three appearances at the Euro 2020 finals. ALESSIO CRAGNO GOALKEEPER CAGLIARI AGE 27 CAPS 2 GOALS 0 Won his first call-up to the senior squad in September 2018 under Roberto Mancini. Made his senior debut in October 2020 when coming off the bench. His only other cap was in a friendly win over San Marino in May. Was named the Serie B Footballer of the Year when helping Benevento to promotion in 2017. FRANCESCO ACERBI DEFENDER LAZIO

ALEX MERET GOALKEEPER NAPOLI AGE 24 CAPS 2 GOALS 0 Meret has represented Italy at every level from Under-16 to the senior team. He was the only member of the Euro 2020 squad who did not make an appearance at the tournament. A youth product of Udinese, Meret plays his club football at Napoli, with whom he won the Coppa Italia in 2019-20. AGE 34 CAPS 113 GOALS 8 Bonucci made his senior international bow in 2010 and has been a regular since the retirement of Fabio Cannavaro. He won his 100th cap against Northern Ireland in March and became the oldest player to score in a European Championship final when he netted against England in July. GIAN MARCO FERRARI DEFENDER SASSUOLO AGE 29 CAPS 1 GOALS 1 Parma-born Ferrari came up through the youth ranks and then turned professional at his hometown club. He was sold to Gubbio before returning to Parma and then moving to Crotone. He joined Sassuolo in 2016 but was loaned out to Crotone and Sampdoria. He has been a Sassuolo regular for the past few seasons. Ferrari scored his first goal for Italy when he made his senior international debut in a 7–0 home win over San Marino back in May. LEONARDO BONUCCI DEFENDER JUVENTUS

GIOVANNI DI LORENZO DEFENDER NAPOLI

AGE 28 CAPS 18 GOALS 2 Right back who scored his first international goal in the 5-0 win over Lithuania in September. Di Lorenzo has been with Napoli since 2019 and won the Coppa Italia in his first season. He made his Italy debut in October 2019 and started the Euro 2020 final, playing the entire match.

GIANLUCA MANCINI DEFENDER ROMA AGE 25 CAPS 6 GOALS 0

DAVIDE ZAPPACOSTA DEFENDER ATALANTA AGE 29 CAPS 13 GOALS 0

Former Perugia and Atalanta central defender with an eye for goal who has been with Roma since 2019. Cites Marco Materazzi as his football idol. A regular under Jose Mourinho with Roma this season, Mancini made his Italy debut in 2019 but was not part of the Euro 2020-winning squad.

The former Chelsea full back plays for Atalanta in Serie A. It is his third spell with the Bergamo-based club. After signing for Atalanta in 2011 from Isola Liri he had loan spells with Avellino in Serie B before signing for them. He returned to Atalanta before switching to Torino and on to Chelsea (2017-2021; loan spells with Roma and Genoa) and then back to Atalanta.

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NIR V ITA