Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori scored his first international goal on Monday evening as Italy successfully saw off Turkey 3-1 at Renato Dall'Ara Stadium in Bologna
Riccardo Calafiori
Riccardo Calafiori was on target for Italy against Turkey
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Arsenal star Riccardo Calafiori has claimed "it's a bit difficult" to decide who will win this year's Ballon d'Or. The crowning of the world's best player will take place later this month in London on October 26.
Calafiori's Gunners team-mates Declan Rice, Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba are among a list of names on the final 30-man shortlist but the Italian still feels the prize is too tough to call.
He told broadcaster RAI Sport: "No, I'm not going to get into the merits of these decisions! It's a two-man or three-man battle, and you know who they are, but this year I have to say it's a bit difficult."
It was quite the night for Calafiori on Monday evening as he returned to Bologna's Renato Dall'Ara Stadium, his former home, to score his first international goal for the Azzurri.
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The 24-year-old has only played 17 matches but it felt like a long time coming for the versatile full-back, who paid tribute to Italy coach Leonardo Bonucci for his role in the goal.
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Calafiori explained after the 3-1 win over Turkey: "My goal here? It was all written, I made my debut here, I scored my first goal here. I owe a lot to this city and these fans, it was all wonderful. It's been a long time since I felt a match in my stomach, in the end it went positively, in the end it went very well.
"The set pieces? We are trying to improve, we can do better in many aspects. An anecdote: Mister Bonucci initially told me to stay back, then he told me to move up and let Kayo [Michael Kayode] stay.
"He asked me to mention him because he is quite egocentric! It went well. Mancini gave us serenity, trying to be free and calm.
"Many things have changed in a few days, but it's not like you can see a job done in three days. The last one was very important, but we can and must further improve, and then go and play in the other two games in November."
The interviewer also paid tribute to Calafiori's scoring form in the early weeks of the season having also found the target in the Community Shield and when quizzed on whether that was an area of his game he actively wants to improve, the Italian replied: "Last year, for example, I was unlucky and could have finished with at least five or six goals.
"This year the season started quite well, but obviously, beyond the numbers, I'm interested in the contribution I make to the team. I try to stay physically fit: in the end, that's what matters, because when I'm well, I can help in so many ways."