Latest news with #FrancescoAcerbi
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Inter Milan Defender Refuses Italy Call-Up: ‘As Things Stand Today The Conditions Aren't There For Me To Press Forward With Serenity
Inter Milan Defender Refuses Italy Call-Up: 'As Things Stand Today The Conditions Aren't There For Me To Press Forward With Serenity Inter Milan defender Francesco Acerbi has officially announced that he's pulled out of the Italy squad for the international break. The 37-year-old Nerazzurri veteran wrote in an Instagram post that 'the conditions aren't there' for him to take part at the moment. Advertisement Francesco Acerbi received a call-up from Italy coach Luciano Spalletti for the upcoming international break, The Azzurri take on Norway and Moldova in FIFA World Cup qualifiers over the next couple weeks. View this post on Instagram However, Acerbi has also had club matters to consider. Inter were in the Champions League final yesterday. There, they suffered a crushing 5-0 loss at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain. Naturally, that defeat has come as a massive blow for the Nerazzurri. Both as a team, and in terms of the individual players. Therefore, it is perhaps not surprising to see some fallout ahead of the international break. Inter Defender Francesco Acerbi Pulls Out Of Italy Squad: 'The Conditions Aren't There' BOLOGNA, ITALY – APRIL 20: Francesco Acerbi of FC Internazionale looks on as he sits on the ground during the Serie A match between Bologna and FC Internazionale at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara on April 20, 2025 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by) Inter defender Francesco Acerbi explains why he did not accept Spalletti's call-up for Italy. 'After deep reflection,' he writes, 'I communicated to the coach today that I won't accept the national team call-up.' Advertisement 'It's not a decision that I've taken lightly,' the 37-year-old continues. 'Because wearing the Azzurri shirt has always been an honour and a source of pride for me.' 'However, I believe that, in light of recent events, the conditions aren't there today for me to go forward with serenity,' Acerbi admits. 'I'm not looking for excuses or favours. But I demand respect.' 'And if that respect is lacking from those who should lead a group, then I prefer to step aside,' Acerbi goes on. 'I'm not someone who takes a call-up for granted. I've always given everything.' 'But I won't stay where I'm no longer truly wanted, and it's clear that I'm not part of the coach's project.' Advertisement 'That's my decision,' Acerbi announces. 'And as I told the coach this morning, it's not final.' 'Nor is it dictated by anger, much less by 'depression' after losing the Champions League final.' 'But only by a need to step back,' Acerbi adds. 'I wish the best to the national team and to my teammates,' Francesco Acerbi concludes. 'I'll continue to cheer them on with the same sense of attachment I've always shown on the pitch.'
Washington Post
8 hours ago
- General
- Washington Post
Key defender Acerbi turns down Italy call-up ahead of World Cup qualifier vs. Haaland's Norway
FLORENCE, Italy — Key center back Francesco Acerbi turned down a call-up to Italy's national team, leaving the Azzurri without the defender who was expected to mark Erling Haaland during a key World Cup qualifier against Norway . Italy coach Luciano Spalletti revealed Sunday that Acerbi called him after playing for Inter Milan in the Champions League final , which was won 5-0 by Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday.
Daily Mail
10 hours ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Inter star pulls out of international duty just hours after Champions League final humiliation at the hands of PSG
One of Inter Milan 's stars has decided to pull out of his country's international fixtures following Saturday's Champions League final defeat. The Italian side were thrashed by Paris Saint-Germain in Munich in what was the biggest final defeat in the history of the tournament. Desire Doue bagged a brace while Achraf Hakimi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and substitute Senny Mayulu were also on target as the French giants secured a historic treble. Francesco Acerbi started at the base of Inter's defence and it has now been revealed that the Italian will not take part in his nation's upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Fabrizio Romano reports that Acerbi has rejected to join Italian national team for the upcoming international games. He posted on X: 'Francesco Acerbi has rejected to join Italian national team for the upcoming international games. 'Acerbi informed me by text message this morning, we move on', says Italy coach Luciano Spalletti.' He had been included in Spalletti's latest squad for June's World Cup qualifiers against Norway and Moldova. 'Acerbi did not respond to the call-up,' Spalletti told the media during his press conference on Sunday. 'Let's move on,' the CT added. 'It's not a physical issue, he's thought about what's happened around him. 'Previously he had some doubts. It's true that we have to hold our breath at the end of the season, it was not easy to make these call-ups.'
San Francisco Chronicle
11 hours ago
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Key defender Acerbi turns down Italy call-up ahead of World Cup qualifier vs. Haaland's Norway
FLORENCE, Italy (AP) — Key center back Francesco Acerbi turned down a call-up to Italy's national team, leaving the Azzurri without the defender who was expected to mark Erling Haaland during a key World Cup qualifier against Norway. Italy coach Luciano Spalletti revealed Sunday that Acerbi called him after playing for Inter Milan in the Champions League final, which was won 5-0 by Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday. 'He sent me a message saying he wasn't going to take part and I responded and then talked to him by phone,' Spalletti said. 'There are players who deserve to be here just as much as he does.' Italy visits Norway on Friday and then hosts Moldova three days later. 'Whether we go to the World Cup or not depends a lot on how we play in Norway,' Spalletti said. 'We all know it.' Italy has failed to qualify for the last two World Cups. Alessandro Buongiorno, another defender, was sent home injured Sunday and replaced by Luca Ranieri of Fiorentina. ___
Winnipeg Free Press
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Key defender Acerbi turns down Italy call-up ahead of World Cup qualifier vs. Haaland's Norway
FLORENCE, Italy (AP) — Key center back Francesco Acerbi turned down a call-up to Italy's national team, leaving the Azzurri without the defender who was expected to mark Erling Haaland during a key World Cup qualifier against Norway. Italy coach Luciano Spalletti revealed Sunday that Acerbi called him after playing for Inter Milan in the Champions League final, which was won 5-0 by Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday. 'He sent me a message saying he wasn't going to take part and I responded and then talked to him by phone,' Spalletti said. 'There are players who deserve to be here just as much as he does.' Italy visits Norway on Friday and then hosts Moldova three days later. 'Whether we go to the World Cup or not depends a lot on how we play in Norway,' Spalletti said. 'We all know it.' Italy has failed to qualify for the last two World Cups. Alessandro Buongiorno, another defender, was sent home injured Sunday and replaced by Luca Ranieri of Fiorentina. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. ___ AP soccer:
