Italy will send a scout to watch Nicolo Tresoldi when Club Brugge face Inter in the Champions League at the Stadio Meazza tonight, as the striker weighs whether to represent Italy or Germany at senior level.
The 22-year-old has continued to attract close attention from the Azzurri, with Italy coach Roberto Mancini keen to assess the forward in a high-profile match. According to Tuttosport, a representative of the Italy national team will be in the stands for the Champions League Round 2 fixture.
Tresoldi was born in Italy but moved to Hannover, Germany, with his family during childhood. He subsequently represented Germany at several youth levels and is now a key player for the Germany U21 team, which he will represent at next summer’s U21 Euros.
The Club Brugge striker has already spoken to both football federations, as well as Italy and Germany’s new national team coaches, Roberto Mancini and Jurgen Klopp.
Tresoldi has made a strong start to the season, scoring six goals in ten appearances for Club Brugge.
However, he has not yet decided which country he will represent at senior level. Mancini said at the end of September that Tresoldi had informed Italy of his immediate commitment to Germany’s Under-21 side.
“We talked to him; he said that at this moment he cannot decide because he gave his word to the Under-21 coach that he’d play for Germany at the European Championship in June,” Mancini said.
“He said that he feels 50 per cent Italian and 50 per cent German. Hopefully by June he’ll feel 51 per cent Italian and 49 per cent German.”
Tresoldi’s international future remains open while Italy continue to monitor his progress. His appearance against Inter will give the Italian federation another opportunity to watch him at club level as the decision over his senior allegiance approaches.
Italy have already persuaded Alessandro Romano to change his international allegiance. The Cagliari midfielder previously represented Switzerland at Under-21 level before making his senior debut for the Azzurri during the latest international break.
