GOALThe breakout star from Euro 2024 in Italy possesses all the necessary skills to become an immediate sensation for the Premier League title contenders.
Italy was not anticipated to perform exceptionally well in Euro 2024, and they largely lived up to those expectations. They struggled through the group stages and were convincingly defeated by Switzerland in the round of 16. However, amidst their lackluster performance as a team, a young defender emerged and kept Italy relevant in the tournament’s early stages.
Just six days after his first-ever senior international start in a friendly victory over Bosnia & Herzegovina, Riccardo Calafiori was given the nod by Luciano Spalletti for his side's European Championship opener against Albania. By full-time, he was all anyone was talking about.
With his hair flowing like Paolo Maldini’s, the confident 22-year-old displayed no signs of anxiety as he played a crucial role in Italy’s comeback from an early mistake to claim a 2-1 triumph. Partnered with Alessandro Bastoni as a left-sided center-back, this dynamic duo offered optimism for the future after the era of Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci. Calafiori excelled in aerial battles, ground challenges, and rarely made a misplaced pass, effectively driving his team’s progress from the defensive line.
He expressed his immense joy after the game, stating to the reporters, “This week has been truly wonderful for me. Just two days ago, I discovered that I would be a starter. Spalletti inquired if I was prepared, and without hesitation, I replied in the affirmative. I focused on the positive aspects, anticipating the emotions I would experience on the field, and it was an incredible sensation. This is a completely new feeling for me, and I am extremely content.”
Calafiori’s impressive performance in this display has paved the way for a promising Euro journey on a personal level. It is truly remarkable how he has managed to overcome numerous obstacles and is now on the verge of an exciting move to the Premier League.
