Riccardo Calafiori, who set up Mattia Zaccagni for the equalizer that secured Italy’s spot in the European Championship knockout stages, is widely regarded as the hero of the match for Italy last night.
With 90+7 minutes remaining in the Leipzig match last night, Luka Modric’s goal had put Croatia up 1-0 and set them up for victory, and it appeared as though Italy was losing ground to Croatia for third place.
However, Calafiori picked up possession, galloped forward with a central run and fed the ball to Zaccagni on the edge of the box who curled a sensational first-time effort into the top corner, sparking rapturous scenes.
According to Calciomercato.com, Calafiori is the one making waves for the Azzurri at the Euros following a breakout season with Bologna. Since they held him a year ago, he is Milan’s “great regret,” but he “must also become a great hope.”
They write that he fits several requirements because he is left-footed, 22 years old, Italian (Milan lacks Italians), and a center defender (which Milan need).
According to the article, “not trying to sign him would be a mortal sin,” and they need to take advantage of Juventus’ real attempts to get him back together with Thiago Motta.
Last summer, Milan gave signing Calafiori as Theo Hernandez’s backup considerable thought, but they were only prepared to give a loan with a buyout option, to which Basel declined. Rather, Bologna entered the race and made the now-affordable commitment to pay €4 million plus bonuses.
