Inter defender Francesco Acerbi has decided against joining up with the Italy national team, despite being included in Luciano Spalletti’s latest squad for June’s World Cup qualifiers, following Inter’s 5-0 thrashing in the Champions League final on Saturday night. 

Speaking at his press conference at Coverciano, attended by Football Italia, Spalletti confirmed that Acerbi has ‘not responded to the call-up’ and that he is expected to stay at home following Inter’s heavy Coppa Campioni final defeat on Saturday night. 

Acerbi, 37, had been called up for the first time in well over a year for World Cup qualifiers against Norway and Moldova on June 6 and June 9. 

Spalletti confirms Acerbi will not join Italy national team

“Acerbi did not respond to the call-up,” Spalletti told the media during his press conference on Sunday. 

“Let’s move on,” the CT added. “It’s not a physical issue, he’s thought about what’s happened around him. 

“Previously he had some doubts. It’s true that we have to hold our breath at the end of the season, it was not easy to make these call-ups.” 

Acerbi had been included in a list of defenders that included club teammate Alessandro Bastoni, Napoli’s Alessandro Buongiorno, Juve’s Andrea Cambiaso, Diego Coppola of Hellas Verona, Napoli’s Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Inter’s Federico Dimarco, Milan’s Matteo Gabbia, Juve’s Federico Gatti, Destiny Udogie of Tottenham and Davide Zappacosta of Atalanta. 

Buongiorno has since left the squad as well, and has been replaced by Fiorentina’s Luca Ranieri.