After over a decade of pain for Italians after three failures to qualify for the World Cup, Roberto Mancini has called up two brothers who have transformed the fortunes. A first international call up for middle child Sebastiano Esposito has been the blessing Italy fans have been calling out for. The Nazionale has lacked creativity, excitement and the clinical nature in the final third since 2006.
Sebastiano Esposito's rise to national team stardom
The 24 year old has had a difficult journey from the youth ranks of Inter Milan to loan experience across Europe. However, despite multiple set backs, the attacker has impressed after a successful spell at Cagliari. After netting eight goals and getting six assists last season, he's currently off the mark for Sassuolo having scored the opener in a 3-2 victory over Juventus.
As many young Italians do, Sebastiano Esposito played for three Serie B sides on loan whilst an opportunity at Inter Milan came available. An exciting loan move to Basel saw the youngster get 13 goal contributions but it would take a two seasons in Serie B on loan before Serie A games became a formality for the attacker. 10 goals for Empoli was followed with eight for Cagliari and now national team call ups seem to be a necessity after impressing in his first two games for the Italian national team.
Francesco Pio Esposito shows class above his years
Inter Milan's Francesco Pio Esposito has burst onto the scene after impressing for Spezia whilst a teenager. Throughout his two seasons in Serie B with Spezia, the youngest Esposito netted 22 times. However, a poor first season drew question marks over the strikers ability and potential.
Inter Milan put trust in the youngster who went onto score 19 goals in his 40 appearances. A fantastic return which gave the Nerazurri enough of a sample size to trust the now 21 year old to feature in every competition last season. His 11 goals and six assists helped Inter win the Scudetto.
After featuring in five Serie A games this season, Esposito has scored twice whilst having an assist. The fine form was noticed by reappointed manager Mancini who called up the 21 year old. Across his first four games for the Italian national team in the Nations League, Pio Esposito has scored twice and got an assist which has helped Italy sit 2nd in their Nations League group.
Are we witnessing the return of the Italian national team?
Since finishing last in the 2010 World Cup group stage, in a group with Paraguay, Slovakia and New Zealand, the Italian National team has been on a sharp and embarrassing decline. However, since reuniting with Mancini the Italian national team has lost just once, drew with France and beat Turkey comfortably twice. With young players finally getting a call up and the side seemingly playing in unison, Italy look like they are on the right track to return as a powerhouse on international football.
Two of the three Esposito brothers were called up, Michael Kayode was granted his debut, exciting midfielder Issa Doumbia showed his ability to slot into the midfield whilst Borussia Dortmund midfielder Samuele Inacio gained valuable experience during his time in the camp.
