Everything in seven days. It’s day two of the National Team training camp, with the Azzurri set to hold their second session ahead of their upcoming matches against Belgium and France. The games in Brussels and Milan will decide the fate of Italy, who only need a point to mathematically progress to the Nations League quarter-finals. Speaking of the future, today’s press conference saw Pietro Comuzzo and Nicolò Savona give their thoughts. Together with Nicolò Rovella, this duo walked through the gate of the Federal Technical Centre for the first time on Sunday evening.

These were three well-deserved call-ups following some excellent performances at the start of the current campaign. It’s also confirmation of the attention Spalletti pays to young players, who, when with the Azzurri, are asked to display the same character that has allowed them to become starters for their respective clubs.

“When a kid starts playing football and sees the National Team on TV, they dream of being there,” said Comuzzo. “This is the biggest dream you can achieve, and, for me, our national anthem is the most beautiful in the world.” “Earning an Italy call-up is a dream come true,” added Savona. “Here, there are a lot of champions, and I’ll try to take inspiration from everybody.”

COMUZZO THE ‘SOLDIER’. Born in San Daniele del Friuli, in the province of Udine, and after developing at both Udinese and Pordenone, Pietro Comuzzo joined the Fiorentina youth sector in 2018 before becoming part of the first-team set up at the Viola. In October 2023, under the guidance of Vincenzo Italiano, he made both his Serie A and Conference League debuts. At the beginning of the 2024/25 campaign, Raffaele Palladino decided to make him a starter, a choice that has paid off so far: “Palladino has given me a lot of advice to help me grow, especially in terms of building from the back. Our objective at Fiorentina is to put in the work to remain in a high position. Our strength lies in the group, and we deserve to be where we are in the league. However, I’m now focusing on enjoying myself as much as I can in the Azzurri shirt.”

Diligent and tidy on the pitch, and mature beyond his years, Comuzzo takes inspiration from Giorgio Chiellini and Virgil van Dijk. He’s also been compared to another Pietro, namely Pietro Vierchowod. “I like marking players and engaging in duels. However, I don’t want to limit myself just to that but also improve my build-up play, using defenders like Bastoni and Calafiori as examples.” Nicknamed ‘soldato’ (‘soldier’), he seems destined to climb the hierarchy. During his press conference yesterday, Spalletti highlighted his ability to stay focused for 90 minutes: “It’s one of my qualities owing to the way I was brought up, and it's something I really count on. When you take to the pitch, it’s your head that makes the difference, especially as a defender.”

At international level, he’s making brilliant progress: it was only last month that he earned his first U21 call-up: “This is a fantastic, young group. We’ll do everything we can to do well. If I had to choose one of our next two matches to play in, I’d choose the France game because it’s in Italy and will take place at San Siro, a fantastic stadium. Whoever has to come up against Lukaku in Belgium has a big test on their hands.”

FROM NEXT GEN TO THE NATIONAL TEAM. Savona joined the Juventus youth set up aged eight and continued his development with Juventus Next Gen, impressing so much that Thiago Motta was convinced enough to give him a chance at Serie A level. This season, he’s made eleven appearances (seven as a starter) and scored two goals for the Bianconeri. His performances have now earned him a call-up to the National Team, together with club teammates and fellow defenders Federico Gatti and Andrea Cambiaso. A defender who enjoyed great success at Juventus and with the National Team is Giorgio Chiellini, who has been giving Savona his advice: “Chiellini told me to carry on working with humility to achieve set objectives and try to improve day by day.” Spalletti highlighted Savona’s versatility and his ability to play out wide and as part of a three-man defence. “Nowadays, being able to play in several positions is very important. I can push forward and defend, but I was mainly part of a three-man defence last season. I can play in this position or as an attacking full-back, and I think this advantageous for me.”

Born in Aosta, as a kid, he divided his time between football and skiing: “I have a house on the ski slopes, and, as a child, I competed several times, especially in slalom. Then, aged ten, I had to decide between football and skiing. I chose football because I didn’t particularly like skiing.” Just like Comuzzo, he’s dreaming of making his debut against France: “But if I’m asked to play against Belgium, I’d like to come up against Doku.” Savona now needs to keep his feet on the ground: “The hard part is still to come, and I know I need to keep the same humility. Dedication and perseverance are the qualities that have allowed me to come this far, and I must never lose them. I’ll try to remain exactly as I am.”

ROVELLA TAKING CENTRE STAGE. Lazio’s fantastic start to the season can also be put down to the form of the dynamic Nicolò Rovella: “Knowing how to do everything is important in the modern game,” said the 22-year-old in an exclusive interview with Rai Sport. “Despite my young age, I have a lot of character. However, I still need to improve from a physical perspective, but that’s something I’m working on a lot.” Spalletti has been full of praise for him: “The Head Coach is one of the best Italian coaches, and receiving a call-up from him is a source of pride. I hope to repay him on the pitch.”

Rovella developed looking up to Modric (“he’s always been my idol, and I also liked Marchisio a lot), and, on Sunday, he could make his Italy debut at the stadium where he made his first Serie A appearance with Genoa: “San Siro means a lot to me. My parents lived five minutes away from the stadium, and, after my Serie A debut, they walked home from the Meazza.” That was five years ago, even though it seems like a lifetime has passed.

SQUAD LIST

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain), Alex Meret (Napoli), Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham);
Defenders: Alessandro Bastoni (Inter), Alessandro Buongiorno (Napoli), Andrea Cambiaso (Juventus), Pietro Comuzzo (Fiorentina), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Federico Dimarco (Inter), Federico Gatti (Juventus), Caleb Okoli (Leicester), Nicolò Savona (Juventus), Destiny Udogie (Tottenham);
Midfielders: Nicolò Barella (Inter), Davide Frattesi (Inter), Manuel Locatelli (Juventus), Niccolò Pisilli (Roma), Nicolò Rovella (Lazio), Sandro Tonali (Newcastle);
Forwards: Moise Kean (Fiorentina), Daniel Maldini (Monza), Giacomo Raspadori (Napoli), Mateo Retegui (Atalanta).