Italian media’s Riccardo Calafiori verdict as Arsenal star helps Italy win in France

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori was in action for Italy in their Nations League victory over France on Friday night.

The Gunners spent £42million to bring Calafiori to the Emirates Stadium from Bologna in the summer, and he joined to much fanfare.

Calafiori has made a real name for himself in Serie A and for the Azzurri. He was one of the few positives from their dismal Euro 2024 campaign.

And on Friday night, the 22-year-old Arsenal ace delivered a solid display as Italy won against Les Bleus on French soil for the first time in 70 years.

The Euro 2020 champions got off to the worst possible start, conceding to Bradley Barcola after less than 20 seconds.

However, Italy bounced back as Federico Dimarco, Davide Frattesi and Giacomo Raspadori struck to turn the game around by full-time.

As per Sofascore, Calafiori weighed in with four clearances, one interception and one tackle. He also won one ground duel and delivered four accurate long balls.

Several Italian media outlets sung the Arsenal man’s praises after the encounter in Paris in their post-match ratings pieces.

Italian media hails ‘cold, hard and brazen’ Riccardo Calafiori display

For instance, Sky Sport Italia wrote of Calafiori: ‘As a third defender on the left, he often offers himself to offensive maneuvers, although without standing out.

‘Present and attentive in defense as well. The French dangers and penetrations come from the other side. He comes out for a blow to the calf. But he is already a pillar. Undisputed.’

Meanwhile, Eurosport gave the Arsenal man 6.5 out of 10 and wrote: ‘A fundamental player in this new Italy that plays with three (at the back).

‘He defends with grit and sets up with accuracy, always with his head held high, practical and elegant at the same time.’

Corriere della Sera gave Calafiori a 7 and wrote: ‘Cold, tough, brazen. Italy regains confidence with him.’

Likewise, Corriere dello Sport gave the Arsenal man a 7, adding: ‘He immediately closes a diagonal and saves us from worse trouble.

‘He is a guarantee but he does more: he often gets up to play the additional playmaker, trying to give (Samuele) Ricci breathing space, setting up and putting phosphorus and muscles into the service.’

READ MORE: French media delivers stern William Saliba verdict as Arsenal star struggles for France v Italy

Is Calafiori injured?

Sky Sports reported on Saturday morning that Calafiori is expected to be fit for Monday’s game between Italy and Israel in Budapest.

Meanwhile, Italy head coach Luciano Spalletti said, as per GiveMeSport: “We need to assess Riccardo but with our staff, we’ve a good chance to have him back with us for the next game.”

Arsenal fans will be relieved to hear this and will hope he emerges through the Azzurri’s next game unscathed.

The Gunners’ next game is against Tottenham Hotspur in N17, and even Highbury legend Paul Merson isn’t so sure about how the NLD will pan out.