BURSA, Turkey (AP) — Pio Esposito was joined by older brother Sebastiano in the starting lineup for Italy’s Nations League match at Turkey on Monday, marking the first time two brothers have started for the Azzurri in more than a century.
It is an international debut for the 24-year-old Sebastiano Esposito, while the 21-year-old Pio has played 10 times for Italy, scoring five goals.
They are the fourth set of brothers to play in the same match for Italy, including Filippo and Simone Inzaghi in 2000.
However, the last time two brothers started the same match was in 1915, when Aldo and Luigi Cevenini scored all the goals in a 3-1 victory over Switzerland.
Moreover, Sebastiano completes a hat trick of Esposito brothers to have played for Italy. Salvatore Esposito, the oldest brother at 25, featured in one match in 2022.
It is the first time three brothers have played for Italy at senior level.
Pio had a breakout season with Inter Milan last campaign, while Sebastiano joined Sassuolo on loan from Cagliari in the summer.
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