Rome: AC Milan’s 17-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma received his first call up to Italy’s squad on Saturday. New Azzurri coach Gian Piero Ventura also gave Milan defender Alessio Romagnoli, Torino forward Andrea Belotti and Genoa striker Leonardo Pavoletti their first call-ups.
Italy hosts France in a friendly in Bari on Thursday then visits Israel four days later to open World Cup qualifying. Ventura replaced Antonio Conte, who left for Chelsea after guiding Italy to the quarter-finals of the European Championship. A possible heir to longtime Italy starter Gianluigi Buffon, Donnarumma made his Serie A debut last season at the age of 16 years, 8 months — becoming the youngest goalkeeper to start a match in the top division.
