He was one of the stars of the Euro 2020 success, making an experienced midfield alongside Verratti and Barella. Then the two misses from the spot against Switzerland saw him shoulder the blame for Italy’s failing to qualify for the World Cup. The criticism was immense for the player who always did his best for the Azzurri.

He was a staple for Mancini and has received a call-up from Spalletti after missing out on the September and October international breaks given his good performances with Arsenal. It has been 5 months since his last appearance for Italy, in the Nations League Finals. He said in today’s press conference: “I never thought that that would be my last time in Azzurri. I have a lot to give to the Coach, my teammates, and our fans. I want to feel how we felt after the Euros again, I still have a lot to give to Italy”.

Jorginho was smiling in the press conference and joked around when a journalist asked him what it would be like to be back in the stadium where he missed one of those fateful penalties: “Thank you for the good memory… It is always good to play at the Olimpico, let’s hope that it’ll be full because we need that positive energy. If I had to take a penalty, I would do so with no problems”. Part of the starting XI on that sad night in Palermo, when Italy’s hopes of heading to Qatar were crushed, he knows very well the difficulties that hide behind the game with North Macedonia: “I’m expecting Macedonia to be closed, compact, trying to go out on the counterattack. We need to be organised, try to attack and score but without conceding. We have conceded 2 goals in 2 games and they have scored 2 goals, it means they can make the most of their first opportunity”.

Spalletti appreciated his desire to be back with the Azzurri, emphasising how it was him to arrive first at Coverciano on Sunday evening. He said: “He is back to being part of the squad, the man who guides the way”. These were important words from the new Head Coach that show what he thinks of the ex-Napoli midfielder. Jorginho confirmed: “I’ve been well welcomed, it made me happy to be called up, I was hoping for it. He told me what he expects of me: keep the squad tight, try to create in the game”.

If he were to play against North Macedonia and Ukraine, he’d reach 50 caps with Italy, a good number for a player who isn’t yet 32: “I have grown a lot on the pitch, from experience. I have changed squad, coach, now I have more experience. I understand the game even more”. He doesn’t rule out a return to the Italian league: “I would like to come back, but I don’t know when would be the right moment as I am very happy at Arsenal. It always takes time when you change squads, but my first 6 months with Arsenal haven’t been negative, not at all. My replacement? Someone else will definitely come along who can do better than me, but for now you’ll have to settle” he added, smiling, “In this position you have to put the squad first, you need to help them play well looking to do the simple stuff”.

Past and present. Mancini and Spalletti: “I don’t like to make comparisons, but they are both two coaches with great experience. They both speak sincerely and it is important that the squad feels the Coach is genuine”. He said that more trust needs to be put in the youth in Italy (“Often we don’t believe in them enough”), and in this Azzurri squad there isn’t a lack of leaders like Chiellini and Bonucci: “Every time there is a change, new players come, they must grow. There are players with great personalities who can leave their mark on the Italy squad with the good work they do: Di Lorenzo, Cristante, and Locatelli are players who are showing their personality”.

BRIAGHI AND LAZZARI CALLED UP. After Meret, Calabria. Toloi and Locatelli returned to their respective clubs, Luciano Spalletti decided to call up Lazio defender Manuel Lazzari to the group after a year and a half since his last appearance, as well as Fiorentina defender Cristiano Biraghi. No need to worry about Jorginho’s head injury suffered with his club that needed a couple of stitches: “It was a superficial injury, I feel great”.

SQUAD LIST

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint Germain), Ivan Provedel (Lazio), Guglielmo Vicario (Totthenam);
Defenders: Francesco Acerbi (Inter), Alessandro Bastoni (Inter), Cristiano Biraghi (Fiorentina), Alessandro Buongiorno (Torino), Andrea Cambiaso (Juventus), Matteo Darmian (Inter), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Federico Dimarco (Inter), Federico Gatti (Juventus), Manuel Lazzari (Lazio);
Midfielders: Nicolò Barella (Inter), Giacomo Bonaventura (Fiorentina), Andrea Colpani (Monza), Bryan Cristante (Roma), Davide Frattesi (Inter), Jorginho (Arsenal);
Forwards: Domenico Berardi (Sassuolo), Federico Chiesa (Juventus), Stephan El Shaarawy (Roma), Moise Kean (Juventus), Matteo Politano (Napoli), Giacomo Raspadori (Napoli), Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta), Nicolò Zaniolo (Aston Villa).