Vincenzo Griffo is in Italy’s initial EM squad

Vincenzo Griffo may continue to dream of EM. National coach Roberto Mancini nominated Freiburg for his temporary squad – including some stars.

Vincenzo Griffo of the Bundesliga soccer club SC Freiburg is beginning preparations for Euro 2020 with four-time world champion Italy. The midfielder is part of a 33-strong squad that was named by national coach Roberto Mancini on Monday evening soon after his contract extension. The provisional EM squad also stars former Dortmund Siro Immobile (Lazio Rome) and defensive veteran Giorgio Chiellini of Juventus Turin.

EM test against San Marino

“Azurri” will take on San Marino in the final European Championship Test on May 28, after which Mancini will drop seven players and appoint his 26 European Championship players. Dress rehearsal is scheduled for June 4 against the Czech Republic. At the Pan-European Championships, Italy is taking on Turkey (11 June), Switzerland (16 June) and Wales (20 June) for a place in the knockout round.

Mancini extended his contract for four years on Monday before his nomination, so the 55-year-old will remain the coach of the 1968 European champion and will include the World Cup in 2026 in the USA, Mexico and Canada.

Provisional EM Squad of Italy:

Tor: Alessio Cragno (Cagliari Calcio), Gianluigi Donarumma (AC Melland), Alex Merrett (SC Napel), Salvatore Sirigu (FC Turin)

Defence: Francesco Acerbi (Lazio Rome), Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Maryland), Cristiano Biraghi (AC Florenz), Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini (apart from Juventus Turin), Giovanni di Lorenzo (SC Napel), Alessandro Florenzi (Paris Saint Germain), Manuel Lazari (Lazio Rome), Gianluca Mancini (AS Rome), Leonardo Spinazzola (other than AS Rome), Rafael Toloi (Atlanta Bergamo)

Midfield: Niccol ब Barella (Inter Maryland), Gaetano Castrovili (AC Florenz), Brian Cristante (AS Rome), Manuel Locatelli (US Susuolo Calcio), Lorenzo Pellegrini (AS Rome), Matteo Pacina (Atlanta Bergamo), Stefano Sensei (Inter Maryland), Marco Veratti (Paris Saint Germain)

attack: Andrea Bellotti (FC Turin), Domenico Berardi (US Sasuolo Calcio), Federico Bernardeschi, Federico Chiesa (other than Juventus Turin), Vincenzo Griffo (SC Freiberg), Ciro Immobil (Lazio Rome), Lorenzo Insigne (SC Napel), (Paris Saint Germain), Matteo Politano (SC Napel), Giacomo Raspadori (US Sasuolo Calcio)