Emerson gets first Italy call-up for friendly against San Marino

Azzurri coach Gian Piero Ventura has named an experimental squad for the match, which takes place on Wednesday 31 May in Empoli. And left-sided defender Emerson is included, after becoming available for his adopted nation earlier this season.

The 23-year-old has enjoyed a breakout campaign for the Giallorossi this term, playing 24 Serie A games under Luciano Spalletti and impressing with his ability both in defence and attack.

Earlier this year he was called up for an informal training camp with Italy, as coach Ventura took a closer look at some young players of interest to him, and he will now join up with the full squad for the first time following Sunday's game against Genoa at the Stadio Olimpico.

Emerson joins teammate Leandro Paredes in receiving a first international call-up at the end of this season.

Paredes will join up with Argentina for games against Brazil and Singapore following the end of the domestic season.

Italy squad to face San Marino

Goalkeepers: Pierluigi Gollini (Atalanta), Simone Scuffet (Udinese).

Defenders: Cristiano Biraghi (Pescara), Davide Calabria (Milan), Mattia Caldara (Atalanta), Federico Ceccherini (Crotone), Andrea Conti (Atalanta), Emerson Palmieri dos Santos (Roma), Alex Ferrari (Verona), Gian Marco Ferrari (Crotone).

Midfielders: Daniele Baselli (Torino), Danilo Cataldi (Genoa), Roberto Gagliardini (Inter), Lorenzo Pellegrini (Sassuolo), Domenico Berardi (Sassuolo), Federico Chiesa (Fiorentina), Matteo Politano (Sassuolo), Simone Verdi (Bologna).

Forwards: Diego Falcinelli (Crotone), Roberto Inglese (Chievo), Gianluca Lapadula (Milan), Andrea Petagna (Atalanta).