{"id":2305,"date":"2026-01-16T15:26:55","date_gmt":"2026-01-16T15:26:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/ex-italy-star-predicts-serie-a-talent-will-earn-1st-call-up-for-world-cup-play-off\/"},"modified":"2026-01-16T15:26:55","modified_gmt":"2026-01-16T15:26:55","slug":"ex-italy-star-predicts-serie-a-talent-will-earn-1st-call-up-for-world-cup-play-off","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/ex-italy-star-predicts-serie-a-talent-will-earn-1st-call-up-for-world-cup-play-off\/","title":{"rendered":"Ex-Italy star predicts Serie A talent will earn 1st call-up for World Cup play-off"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\"TURIN,<\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n

TURIN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 29: Francisco Fernandes da Conceicao of Juventus FC competes with Marco Palestra of Cagliari Calcio during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and Cagliari Calcio at Allianz Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n


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Ex-Milan and Italy defender Alessandro Costacurta believes Cagliari\u2019s Marco Palestra will be called up to the senior Azzurri squad for the first time in March 2026.<\/p>\n

Italian legend Costacurta predicts that Atalanta-owned Palestra, currently on loan at Cagliari, will get his first Italy call-up in March when the Azzurri will play in the World Cup play-off.<\/p>\n

Costacurta: Palestra ideal for four man-defence<\/h2>\n
\"CAGLIARI,
CAGLIARI, ITALY \u2013 JANUARY 02: Marco Palestra of Cagliari in action during the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and AC Milan at Stadio Sant\u2019Elia on January 02, 2026 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cI like Palestra, even if in Cagliari he\u2019s forced to play as a wing-back,\u201d Costacurta told Corriere dello Sport.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo me, he\u2019d be an excellent full-back in a four-man defence.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"MILAN,
MILAN, ITALY \u2013 NOVEMBER 16: Gennaro Gattuso, Head Coach of Italy, issues instructions during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Norway at San Siro Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Italy U21 coach Silvio Baldini thinks exactly the same, but Costacurta fears the Azzurrini boss will receive bad news in the coming months.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think he\u2019ll lose him [Palestra] in March\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\"CAGLIARI,
CAGLIARI, ITALY \u2013 JANUARY 02: Marco Palestra of Cagliari in action during the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and AC Milan at Stadio Sant\u2019Elia on January 02, 2026 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Palestra, 20, has provided three assists in 19 Serie A appearances this season and has played eight matches with the Italy U21 squad.<\/p>\n

Italy will host Northern Ireland in the semi-final playoff on March 26, while the potential final will be played away against the winner of Wales-Bosnia and Herzegovina on March 31.<\/p>\n

During the same interview, Costacurta praised his former teammate and coach Carlo Ancelotti, saying that he\u2019s the best manager of all time, on par with Pep Guardiola.<\/p>\n

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