The coach of the Italian national team, Gennaro Gattuso, shocked the fans when he decided to exclude 2 Inter players and replace them with 3 Milan names for unjust reasons. Acerbi immediately released a statement that surprised everyone!

In a move that shocked Italian football, the newly-noted CT of the Italian national team Gennaro Gattuso made the courageous decision to exclude two important Inter players from the team, instead convening three stars from Milan, citing reasons that many fans and analysts are labeling as controversial and unjust. The announcement, made during a heated press conference in Rome on June 19, 2025, triggered a heated debate, with Francesco Acerbi of Inter who released a statement that left the world of football amazed.

Gattuso, hero of the 2006 World Cup and former AC Milan legend, was presented as coach of Italy following the exemption of Luciano Spalletti, after a humiliating 3-0 defeat against Norway in a qualifying match at the World Cup. With the task of rekindling the hopes of the Azzurri to qualify for the 2026 world championship after jumping the two previous tournaments, Gattuso wasted no time in impressing his authority on the team. However, his last selection has aroused perplexity, in particular for the apparent partiality towards his former club, Milan, and for the exclusion of key players of Inter.

According to some sources, Gattuso personally contacted 35 players to discuss their role in the national team, but the most evident absence from this list was that of the defender of Inter Francesco Acerbi. The thirty -seven year old, who controversial the call for the match against Norway under the guidance of Spalletti, was refused again, was once neglected by Gattuso. In addition to Acerbi, another Inter star also, whose identity has not been officially confirmed but that is rumored to be a key midfielder, was excluded from the list. Gattuso instead opted for the inclusion of three Milan players, widely considered emerging talents from the Rossoneri ranks, in a move that was accepted with accusations of favoritism.

The motivations of Gattuso for these selections have been described as vague and unjust by critics. During the press conference, Gattuso underlined the need for “enthusiasm” and a “family spirit” within the team, suggesting that the players of Inter excluded did not correspond to his vision of a cohesive team. He also said: “I need players who come to Coverciano with the right mentality, even if they have slight injuries. Those I have chosen are in line with the values ​​we want to build”. While Gattuso praised Acerbi’s “great value” and expressed respect for him, confirmed that the younger players were considered priority, a decision that many interpret as an affront towards the expert defender. The inclusion of the Milan trio, apparently chosen for its potential and familiarity with the tactical philosophy of Gattuso since the times when he trained the club, has fueled speculations of partisanza, given his historic story with the Rossoneri.

The football community was ready to react, with fans and experts divided on the choices of Gattuso. On social platforms such as X, Inter fans expressed indignation, accusing Gattuso of having let his Milan roots cloud his judgment. “It’s a shame,” a user wrote. “Acerbi and others deserve better than being put aside for loyalty to the club”. In the meantime, Milan fans have defended the decision, claiming that the players called up bring new energy to a national team that has a desperate need for rejuvenation. The controversy also rekindled the discussions on the lack of local talents in Serie A, with the same Gattuso who urged the clubs to give greater opportunities to young Italian players to strengthen the future of the national team.

The most surprising turning point, however, came from Francesco Acerbi himself. In a statement issued shortly after the press conference of Gattuso, Inter defender expressed his shock and disappointment, but took on a challenge tone. “I gave everything for Italy and I know my value,” said Acerbi. “If the coach believes that others are more suitable, it is his choice, but I will continue to demonstrate my value on the pitch. The truth always comes to the surface”. His cryptic final beaten has triggered speculation on latent tensions within the Italian team, with some who suggest that Acerbi’s refusal to play with Spalletti may have influenced Gattuso’s decision. Others believe that its exclusion indicates a deeper fracture, perhaps linked to dynamics in the locker room or tactical divergences.

Gattuso’s mandate began with a tumultuous beginning and his choices in the squad gave the tone to a high -risk path towards qualifying for the World Cup. With the next games of Italy against Estonia and Israel in September 2025, all eyes will be focused on the former midfielder to see if his bet will bear fruit. Critics claim that alienating established players like Acerbi could jeopardize the team’s morality, while the fans believe that his bold approach is exactly what the Azzurri need to stop their drought at the World Cup. While the debate rages, Acerbi’s response and the exclusion of Inter players will probably remain a topic of discussion, throwing a shadow on the first days of Gattuso as a coach of Italy. If this decision proves to be a master blow or an expensive error, only time will say it.