Italy calls up 3 new players for friendlies in US next week

ROME: Torino right back Raoul Bellanova, Hellas Verona midfielder Michael Folorunsho, and Udinese forward Lorenzo Lucca was called up to Italy’s squad for the first time on Friday. Italy has friendlies against Venezuela and Ecuador in the United States next week.

With key winger Domenico Berardi out long term after tearing the right Achilles tendon two weeks ago, coach Luciano Spalletti will likely rely on Federico Chiesa, Giacomo Raspadori and Mateo Retegui in attack. Atalanta forward Gianluca Scamacca was left out.

The Azzurri will face Venezuela for the first time on Thursday at Inter Miami’s Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida — the home field of Lionel Messi — then play Ecuador three days later at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey. Bellanova has been on Italy's youth teams at every level.

Folorunsho, who is of Nigerian descent, has scored four goals for Verona this season while on loan from Napoli. Lucca, who spent last season on loan at Ajax, has eight goals in 30 Serie A and Italian Cup matches for Udinese. Italy has played Ecuador twice, winning 2-0 at the 2002 World Cup and drawing 1-1 in a friendly in New York in 2005.