Italy can call Piccoli or Baldanzi, very different alternatives to Retegui | OneFootball

Luciano Spalletti said he could call either Roberto Piccoli or Tommaso Baldanzi to replace Mateo Retegui in the Italy squad, but they are very different players.

The Azzurri continue preparing for tomorrow’s Nations League quarter-final against Germany, with the second leg scheduled for Sunday in Dortmund.

Atalanta striker Retegui pulled out today with a muscular problem, so Spalletti announced in his press conference that he will not call any replacements for the moment.

“We’ll see how the first leg goes first. I could need a centre-forward or a support striker, depending also on the conditions of Mattia Zaccagni or Andrea Cambiaso, who could be back for the second leg,” explained Spalletti.

“If I need a centre-forward, I will call Piccoli, otherwise Baldanzi.”

Piccoli and Baldanzi both new to senior Italy squad

epa11873553 Cagliari’s Roberto Piccoli scores the 1-1 equalizer during the Italian Serie A soccer match Cagliari Calcio vs SS Lazio at the Unipol Domus in Cagliari, Italy, 03 February 2025. EPA-EFE/FABIO MURRU

This would be the first senior Italy call for Piccoli, who turned 24 years old in January and is currently on loan with option to buy at Cagliari.

A product of the Atalanta youth academy, he had a series of loan experiences including Genoa, Empoli and Lecce.

So far this season, Piccoli scored eight goals with four assists in 32 games between Serie A and the Coppa Italia.

Piccoli found the net once in four caps for Italy at Under-21 level and is known for being strong in the air, something the current Italy squad lacks.

Baldanzi will celebrate his 22nd birthday on Sunday, the day of the decisive match in Germany.

Able to play as a support striker, trequartista or on the right wing, the Empoli youth product was sold to Roma in February 2024 for €10m plus €5m in bonuses.

Not a natural goal-scorer, he contributed two goals and two assists in 32 official matches for Roma this season, but only started 11 of them, as he was often the alternative to Paulo Dybala.

Baldanzi was a regular in the Italy youth teams, with four goals and two assists in six caps at Under-21 level.

He was also a key figure in the Italy team that reached the Under-20 World Cup Final in June 2023.