Three players dropped from Italy squad: Reasons explained | OneFootball

Federico Dimarco, Caleb Okoli and Nicolo Pisilli are the three players who have not kept their places in the Italy national team squad, while five players have either returned or earned their first call-ups for the upcoming Nations League quarter-finals against Germany in March.

Here are the reasons for Spalletti’s latest changes.

Why Dimarco, Okoli and Pisilli are out of the Italy squad

Dimarco is the biggest name to be left out of the latest Italy squad. He is currently dealing with a muscular strain in his thigh, and Inter confirmed at the beginning of the month that he is expected to be out of action for a period of around three weeks.

MARCH 01: Federico Di Marco of Inter celebrates after scoring his team’s opening goal during the Serie A match between Napoli and FC Internazionale at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on March 01, 2025 in Naples. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

In Dimarco’s absence, 22-year-old Atalanta wing-back Matteo Ruggeri has earned his first call-up instead.

Leicester City centre-back Okoli was included in all three of Spalletti’s Italy squad, but has lost his place for the Nations League quarter-finals.

The last three international breaks proved that it was always going to be difficult for the former Atalanta youth product to break into the team ahead of the likes of Alessandro Buongiorno, Alessandro Bastoni and Riccardo Calafiori, as he remained uncapped despite being with the squad in the last three camps.

Okoli has also lost his starting position at centre-back for Leicester in the Premier League, as he has only started twice in the league since the beginning of December.

Caleb Okoli in action during a Italy training session at Bozsik Stadion on September 08, 2024 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

Roma midfielder Nicolo Pisilli has also been left off the latest Italy squad list. He has instead been included in the U21 squad for the March internationals in a strong midfield unit that also includes the likes of Tommaso Baldanzi, Fabio Miretti, Giovanni Fabbian and Cher Ndour.

Spalletti has instead decided to hand a first call-up to Torino talent and former Italy U20 star Cesare Casadei.

ROME, ITALY – DECEMBER 07: Niccolo Pisilli of AS Roma celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Lecce at Stadio Olimpico on December 07, 2024 in Rome. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Spalletti only called up 23 players to his squad in November, but has increased that number to 25 for the March international break, which means there are also returns to the squad for the likes of Matteo Politano and Mattia Zaccagni.

Lorenzo Lucca has also made the cut. He was called up to the senior side for the first time this time last year, in March 2024, but remains uncapped and could potentially earn his first run-out against Germany.

Out: Dimarco, Okoli, Pisilli.

In: Ruggeri, Casadei, Lucca, Politano, Zaccagni.

Official: Italy squad for Nations League quarter-final

Goalkeepers: Donnarumma (PSG), Meret (Napoli), Vicario (Tottenham).

Defenders: Bastoni (Inter) Buongiorno (Napoli), Calafiori (Arsenal), Cambiaso (Juventus), Comuzzo (Fiorentina), Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Gatti (Juventus), Ruggeri (Atalanta), Udogie (Tottenham).

Midfielders: Barella (Inter), Casadei (Torino), Frattesi (Inter), Ricci (Torino), Rovella (Lazio), Tonali (Newcastle).

Forwards: Kean (Fiorentina), Lucca (Udinese), Maldini (Atalanta), Politano (Napoli), Raspadori (Napoli), Retegui (Atalanta), Zaccagni (Lazio).