Calafiori seen as new Italy leader after EURO 2024 and Arsenal transfer | OneFootball

Il Corriere dello Sport hails Riccardo Calafiori as one of the new Italy leaders after convincing performances at EURO 2024 and a summer move to Arsenal.

Calafiori is expected to start in a three-man defence for Italy against France on Friday, and despite his lack of international experience, the ex-Bologna star is already seen as an Azzurri leader.

Thursday’s printed edition of Il Corriere dello Sport on page 26 highlights how Calafiori’s status at Coverciano has quickly changed as the 22-year-old  made his senior Italy debut only a few days before the start of the Euros last summer and impressed fans and pundits during the tournament.

He made three appearances at the Euros, and even though he scored an own goal in a 1-0 loss to Spain, he provided a vital assist for a late Mattia Zaccagni equaliser against Croatia, which allowed the Azzurri to qualify for the knock-out phase.

Calafiori served a one-match ban against Switzerland in the Round of 16.

He joined Arsenal for €50m after lengthy negotiations between the Gunners and Bologna, and Il Corriere dello Sport notes that Calafiori has already become an Italy ‘senatore’ – leader, in other words – after such an impressive summer.