Silvio Baldini has named a youthful Italy squad for friendlies in Luxembourg and Greece, handing Francesco Pio Esposito the No.9 and Cher Ndour the No.10. Gianluigi Donnarumma returns as a veteran presence amid a largely uncapped group as Italy aim to reset and evaluate new talent following the managerial change.
Italy squad for friendlies in Luxembourg and Greece — Esposito gets No.9, Ndour No.10
Silvio Baldini, elevated from the Under-21s to interim senior coach, has picked a largely young and uncapped Italy group for football matches against Luxembourg (Wednesday) and Greece (Sunday). The call-ups mix established figures like Gianluigi Donnarumma with a clutch of emerging names — a clear signal that Italy will use these friendlies to rebuild momentum and assess attacking options.
Key details: fixtures and leadership
Kick-off in Luxembourg is scheduled for 19:45 UK time (20:45 CEST). Baldini’s promotion brings continuity from the Under-21 setup; his selections reflect a developmental mindset rather than short-term firefighting. Donnarumma provides experience and leadership, while the attacking responsibilities will be monitored closely with Francesco Pio Esposito and Cher Ndour prominent.
Shirt numbers and what they imply
Assigning Esposito the No.9 and Ndour the No.10 isn’t ornamental — it shows intent to test Esposito as a central striker and Ndour as a creative fulcrum. Giving iconic numbers to Under-21 graduates can accelerate their integration and signal who Baldini trusts to shape Italy’s next attacking spine.
Players to watch
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City) — his presence steadies the backline and sets standards for young keepers. Francesco Pio Esposito (Inter) — a legitimate contender to lead the front line; these minutes matter for his role and confidence. Cher Ndour (Fiorentina) — a midfield creative talent already wearing No.10 at Under-21 level; expect him to be the link between midfield and attack. Other youngsters such as Luca Koleosho, Jeff Ekhator and Samuele Inacio offer pace and positional diversity to probe Baldini’s tactical ideas.
Why Baldini’s selection matters
This squad is less about immediate results and more about identity-building. Baldini’s background with the Under-21s means he understands these players’ trajectories and can accelerate their exposure to senior international football. For Italy, still recalibrating after managerial upheaval, these friendlies are an opportunity to expand the talent pool and test players in game conditions without the pressure of qualifiers.
What to expect tactically
Expect an emphasis on fluid attacking transitions and giving younger forwards freedom to play in advanced roles. Defensively, Baldini will likely prioritize organization and minimizing mistakes from inexperience. These games should reveal which youngsters can cope with international tempo and which areas — physicality, decision-making, positional discipline — need immediate attention.
Full Italy squad and numbers
Goalkeepers: 12 Giovanni Daffara (Avellino), 1 Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City), 23 Lorenzo Palmisani (Frosinone)
Defenders: 24 Honest Ahanor (Atalanta), 3 Davide Bartesaghi (Milan), 4 Fabio Chiarodia (Borussia Monchengladbach), 15 Pietro Comuzzo (Fiorentina), 22 Costantino Favasuli (Catanzaro), 25 Niccolò Fortini (Fiorentina), 6 Filippo Mane (Borussia Dortmund), 2 Marco Palestra (Cagliari), 13 Luca Reggiani (Borussia Dortmund)
Midfielders: 14 Tommaso Berti (Cesena), 20 Matteo Dagasso (Venezia), 16 Giacomo Faticanti (Juventus), 5 Luca Lipani (Sassuolo), 10 Cher Ndour (Fiorentina), 21 Niccolò Pisilli (Roma)
Forwards: 8 Francesco Camarda (Lecce), 7 Luigi Cherubini (Sampdoria), 18 Jeff Ekhator (Genoa), 9 Francesco Pio Esposito (Inter), 17 Seydou Fini (Frosinone), 19 Samuele Inacio (Borussia Dortmund), 11 Luca Koleosho (Paris FC)
Immediate implications and next steps
These friendlies give Baldini a controlled environment to assess personnel and tactical preferences ahead of competitive fixtures. Strong performances could fast-track a few names into long-term consideration for the Azzurri, while tentative displays will highlight where reinforcements or tactical adjustments are necessary.
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For fans and selectors alike, the games in Luxembourg and Greece will be a practical referendum on Italy’s next chapter.
Football Italia
