Spalletti ready to exclude several players from Italy's squad for World Cup qualifiers

Federico Gatti and Francesco Acerbi are at risk of being left out of the Italy squad for the World Cup qualifying matches. Luigi Spalletti is already considering the lineup for the first qualifier against Norway, scheduled for June 6, 2025.

According to Corriere dello Sport, Spalletti is likely not to call up the experienced Inter defender Francesco Acerbi. The defender's age is becoming a factor that hinders his long-term prospects with the team.

Another player who might be excluded is Juventus defender Federico Gatti. The coach may consider more seasoned defenders like Alessandro Bastoni and Riccardo Calafiori for his spot. The possible exclusion is due to Gatti's poor performance in the match against Germany, where he failed to meet expectations, and the coach might prefer a more reliable player.

It should be noted that Italy already lost to Germany in the UEFA Nations League quarterfinals, which has cast doubt on the team's lineup. Now Spalletti is ready to make changes to the squad, focusing on the future of the national team in the World Cup qualifiers.