Ex-Milan and Italy defender Alessandro Costacurta believes Cagliari’s Marco Palestra might be known as as much as the senior Azzurri squad for the primary time in March 2026.
Italian legend Costacurta predicts that Atalanta-owned Palestra, presently on mortgage at Cagliari, will get his first Italy call-up in March when the Azzurri will play within the World Cup play-off.
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Costacurta: Palestra superb for 4 man-defence
CAGLIARI, ITALY – JANUARY 02: Marco Palestra of Cagliari in motion throughout the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and AC Milan at Stadio Sant’Elia on January 02, 2026 in Cagliari, Italy. (Picture by Enrico Locci/Getty Photos)
“I like Palestra, even when in Cagliari he’s pressured to play as a wing-back,” Costacurta advised
“To me, he’d be a superb full-back in a four-man defence.”
MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 16: Gennaro Gattuso, Head Coach of Italy, points directions throughout the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Norway at San Siro Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Picture by Marco Luzzani/Getty Photos)
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Italy U21 coach Silvio Baldini thinks precisely the identical, however Costacurta fears the Azzurrini boss will obtain unhealthy information within the coming months.
“I believe he’ll lose him [Palestra] in March…”
CAGLIARI, ITALY – JANUARY 02: Marco Palestra of Cagliari in motion throughout the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and AC Milan at Stadio Sant’Elia on January 02, 2026 in Cagliari, Italy. (Picture by Enrico Locci/Getty Photos)
Palestra, 20, has offered three assists in 19 Serie A appearances this season and has performed eight matches with the Italy U21 squad.
Italy will host Northern Eire within the semi-final playoff on March 26, whereas the potential ultimate might be performed away in opposition to the winner of Wales-Bosnia and Herzegovina on March 31.
Throughout the identical interview, Costacurta praised his former teammate and coach Carlo Ancelotti, saying that he’s the