‘Why is Donnarumma Italy No 1?’

By Football Italia staff

Riccardo Montolivo’s agent continued his assault on the Italy team by asking ‘why must Gianluigi Donnarumma be a permanent starter?’

Giovanni Branchini had already hit out at Italy CT Roberto Mancini for selecting Jorginho over Montolivo, despite his lack of game time for Milan, and the second part of the representative’s Corriere dello Sport interview saw him turn on Donnarumma.

“Why must Donnarumma be a permanent starter?” he remarked.

“We’re talking about criteria, not players. Sirigu was one of the best goalkeepers of last season, while Donnarumma ended it badly and has started this one poorly.

“The truth is that we have to throw wool over people’s eyes. Gigio decisive against Poland? But he’s a great goalkeeper…

“Is Donnarumma the future? On which criteria? And then, to call him up, we wait for the future to become the present.

“The underlying problem is something else. We haven’t produced a champions for 15 years and no-one asks why.”

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