Arsenal star Riccardo Calafiori seems to have made a really positive impression with his performance for Italy against France.
The 22-year-old only made his senior Italy debut in June this year and he won just his sixth international cap in Paris on Friday night.
Despite not having huge experience, Calafiori has become a key man in the Azzurri defence, and his performance against France showed why.
The Arsenal man has earned a lot of praise for his display from his country’s press.
Italy’s media react to Arsenal star Riccardo Calafiori’s performance vs France
Calafiori started on the left side of a three-man defence for Italy last night.
France were the absolute favourites going into the game. They hadn’t lost any fixture against the Azzurri in Paris for 70 years.
The hosts took the lead after just 13 seconds thanks to Bradley Barcola, and the right side of Italy’s defence looked really disorganised.
However, despite the chaos next to him early in the game, Calafiori always remained calm and was comfortably the best defender on the pitch – he was even better than William Saliba, who’s being criticised for his display.
The Arsenal star’s defending was solid, but it was his bravery on the ball that has earned him a lot of praise from his country’s media.
Eurosport in Italy gave him a 6.5/10 rating and wrote: “Fundamental player in this new Italy who plays in a back three. Defends with determination and sets with accuracy, always with his high head, practical and elegant at the same time.”
Corriere Adriatico gave Calafiori a 7/10 rating and said: “In addition to always being careful in closures, he is not afraid to bring the ball. Huge quality defender.”
Sky Sports Italy wrote after giving the defender a 6.5/10 rating: “As a third defender on the left, he often offers himself to the offensive manoeuvre, even without standing out.
“Present and careful however also in defence. French dangers and penetrations come from the other side. He goes out for a blow to the calf. But it is already a pillar. Undisputable!”
Corriere della Serra kept it short after rating him 7.5/10: “Cold, hard, brazen. Italy regains trust with him.”
Finally, CalcioMercato gave Calafiori a 6.5/10 rating and said: “He is in European mode and it shows. The Arsenal bench has not disturbed the physical-mental condition of the 2002 class, even today among the most positive in the formation of Spalletti.”
Riccardo Calafiori injury update ahead of Tottenham vs Arsenal
We really enjoyed Calafiori’s performance for Italy against France on Friday night, but there was one thing that worried every Arsenal fan.
The 22-year-old suffered a freak injury after getting caught on his calf by Ousmane Dembele. He went down in pain and despite trying extremely hard to continue, he had to limp off.
The last thing Arsenal need ahead of the North London Derby is another player being unavailable, but thankfully for Mikel Arteta, there is some positive news.
Italy boss Luciano Spalletti has issued an update on Calafiori’s injury, and he has revealed that it doesn’t look serious.
The defender could be back in action as early as Monday, when Italy face Israel at the Bozsik Arena in Budapest, Hungary.
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