Alessandro Circati’s assured debut has had the Socceroos drooling while coach Graham Arnold eyes the tantalising prospect of another Italy-qualified starlet coming on board.
Arnold revealed after the Roos’ 2-0 win over New Zealand in London to lift the Soccer Ashes that he had enjoyed a “great meeting” with Circati’s pal, Sydney-born Italian Under-19 international Cristian Volpato, over committing to Australia.
“I’m communicating with him all the time, but I’m not going to pressure him,” said Arnold, of the teenage attacking midfielder Volpato, who’s making his way at Serie A club Sassuolo.
“You’ve got to do it because you want to do it. We had a good chat, a good time. He wants to focus on his club, his football, no problem.”
“Alessandro Circati was the same, I spoke to him on numerous times but it was his decision. His gut had to tell him it was the right decision once he put that emblem on his heart.”
Italian-born, Perth-raised Circati, who’s close to Volpato after playing at youth level with him, reckoned he really had made the right decision after a fairly immaculate debut in central defence against the All Whites.
The youngster, who’s now shining at Serie B club Parma, and his towering partner Harry Souttar kept Premier League striker Chris Wood quiet, with Circati even capping his debut with an assist, nodding across the ball for Mitch Duke to bury for Australia’s first goal.
In fairness, he never looked to be under any stress from an ordinary Kiwi outfit who could provide no decent service to Wood, but his poise and passing accuracy on the ball really made it an accomplished bow.
“It is a childhood dream fulfilled. Being in Australia for 17 years, growing up all my life there, it means a lot,” said Circati, who’s just turned 20. “An assist too … just buzzing!
“It was the first game playing alongside H (Souttar). I feel like we have some chemistry, we play well together and understand each other's strengths. We played to them.”
Souttar was certainly impressed. “Listen, I want to say a big shout out to Alssandro,” he said.
“Coming in and making your debut against Chris Wood, who's a veteran Premier League striker - big, physical and good at hold up play and movement - and to just look so composed on the ball was excellent.
“Also his movement off the ball defensively, covering each other. I'm looking forward to hopefully playing with him more.
“But we've got so many options to play that defensive role now, everyone's got to be on their toes and perform well when called upon. Because we’ve got Cam Burgess, Milos (Degenek), Kye (Rowles), many players coming through there.”
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