Willy Gnonto was at his brilliant best for Italy’s U21 side on Tuesday night as he scored twice against Ireland in Cork – and the Leeds United star has earned praise from Mateo Joseph and Ian Poveda.
Gnonto, 19, has endured a difficult season. It comes after relegation from the Premier League, with the winger refusing to play – and then picking up injury. That has resulted in him losing his starting place.
The winger has been overtaken by Dan James and Cree Summerville, and has subsequently seen him lose his place in Italy’s senior side. He was included in Italy’s U21’s for the November international break.
Last week, he scored twice in Italy U21’s 7-0 win over San Marino. Then, on Tuesday night, he started in Cork despite rumours he might have suffered a hamstring injury. He scored another brace on the night.
The first, a penalty which one himself when a shot was handled, before his header deflected into the back of the net on 96 minutes to win a point. Gnonto posted on Instagram following the exciting draw.
Willy Gnonto earns praise from Leeds United duo after Italy brace
Easily, the best player on the pitch – which Italian media also summarised. The Italy star has dropped out of Italy’s senior squad but his four goals during the break, and his displays, will have caught the eye.
Euro 2024 is incoming and Gnonto could have done little more to show coaches he deserves to be in the senior side. What he needs to do now, is break back into Leeds’ starting XI ahead of Christmas.
After his third and fourth goals of the break, plenty were full of praise for Gnonto on his Instagram post. Joseph commented, translated as “the beast”. Poveda also responded, using a fire emoji to praise him.
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