Italian media react to Willy Gnonto after what Leeds United star did
Willy Gnonto impressed for Italy Under-21s in their 2-2 draw against France on Friday, with Italian media reacting after the final whistle.
The Italians passed up a two-goal half-time lead in the friendly on 15 November in Empoli, as Gnonto played 73 minutes on the left of an attacking trio.
The Leeds star played a part in a “spectacular” opening goal by Cesare Casadei but missed a chance which he worked himself in the second half before Italy gave up their advantage.
Gazzetta dello Sport said: “In the 16th minute, Italy [take] the lead with a spectacular action: starting on the centre-right with Casadei who spreads to Ndour, development to the left for Ruggeri and two vertical passes from Gnonto to Ndour, who from the back puts it back, Ambrosino’s backheel and Casadei’s irruption.”
Corriere dello Sport reacted to a flashpoint in the second half: “After a nice slalom to free himself, Gnonto fails to hit the target with his right foot from inside the area.”
Willy Gnonto hopes Leeds United success brings Italy return
Gnonto has only recently turned 21 but it feels he has been on the scene a lot longer, given his rollercoaster time with Leeds United.
The former Zurich winger already has 13 senior caps and one goal for Italy but has not featured for the full national team since September 2023.
Still a regular for the U21s – who face a second friendly with Ukraine in Spezia on Tuesday [19 November] before his return to Thorp Arch – Gnonto is hoping his evident quality, on its day ranking well above Championship standard, can help him break back into the big time.
Gnonto has developed a great deal in maturity from the beginning of last season, having begun 2023-24 by refusing to play in the second tier.
But over a year later, he is continuing to deliver some excellent – albeit sometimes inconsistent – performances in the famous white shirt after being denied a return to the Premier League.
With his determination to feature in both the Premier League and the senior Italy side, he is certainly going the right way about it.
In other Leeds news, Daniel Farke will be extremely satisfied with what happened to Ao Tanaka on Friday.
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