Italy coach Spalletti clarifies decision to include Monza striker Maldini in squad

Daniel Maldini, the talented son of AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini, has been called up to the senior Azzurri squad for the upcoming Nations League matches. This marks a significant milestone in his young career as he follows in his father's footsteps.

Spalletti said: "I only have Daniel's shots at my disposal and he has many qualities, he is a bit of a player that we are missing. He has a beautiful, enchanting play and then he holds his own in tackles, he knows how to put his nose in front of you and then it becomes difficult to catch him.

"He knows how to play very well with his back to the opposing defence: sometimes he is absent from the game but I saw him play with continuity and I found him to have grown quite significantly. Let's see what effect being here this week has on him, I am convinced that being here can create beautiful things inside him that are capable of creating the art he plays. He will be encouraged to be more consistent because sometimes he goes out of the game, I like to talk to him because it seems to me that he has important possibilities."