Italy coach Spalletti provides reasons for selecting Monza striker Maldini

Spalletti expressed, "I am fortunate to have Daniel's skillset at my disposal. He possesses a wide array of qualities that we have been lacking. His playing style is captivating and he excels in tackles. He is not afraid to get physical and once he is ahead, it is challenging to catch up to him."

"He knows how to play very well with his back to the opposing defence: sometimes he is absent from the game but I saw him play with continuity and I found him to have grown quite significantly. Let's see what effect being here this week has on him, I am convinced that being here can create beautiful things inside him that are capable of creating the art he plays. He will be encouraged to be more consistent because sometimes he goes out of the game, I like to talk to him because it seems to me that he has important possibilities."