It’s a great week for Australian football. On the back of the Soccer Ashes victory over New Zealand, ex-Roma midfielder Christian Volpato has ended months of speculation by choosing Australia over Italy, following the lead of Parma defender Alessandro Circati.

The news of Volpato’s decision couldn’t have arrived at a better time for Socceroos boss Graham Arnold, who, despite Australia’s 2-0 win at the Gtech Stadium, remained concerned about the high volume of wasted opportunities in the final third. The Neroverdi midfielder’s creativity, cultivated during his time under Jose Mourinho at Roma, could boost Arnold’s chances of clinching silverware at the upcoming Asian Cup in Qatar.

Born in Sydney, $8M-rated Volpato holds dual citizenship and has already represented Italy at Under-20 level in 2022 alongside Circati. Since the beginning of the 2023-24 season, the pair have lived within thirty minutes of each other and could face off in a Derby dell’Emilia (Emilia-Romagna derby) should promotion-chasing Parma make it to Serie A next season.

Sassuolo gained promotion to Serie A in 2013 and is recognized for nurturing Italy striker Gianluca Scamacca, who scored for the Azzurri at Wembley in the 3-1 loss to England, and internationals Manuel Locatelli, Giacomo Raspadori, Domenico Berardi who all played together under former manager Roberto De Zerbi.

Circati’s international bow in the green and gold was well worth the wait for Arnold, who was delighted with the performance of the 20-year-old following Australia’s domination of the All Whites in London on Tuesday.

“He’s such a mature kid for twenty years of age,” Arnold told me. We brought him into camp - he had to settle in and learn what the culture was about, the way that we wanted to play.”

Despite being selected for his solid defensive efforts in Italy’s Serie B, the defender’s qualities in the attacking third were already known to the Socceroos boss. Circati impacted the match with the assist for Australia’s opening goal, remaining forward after a set-piece to header centrally for Mitch Duke’s 13th-minute volley.

“I went to watch him live, Parma against Sampdoria,” Arnold explained. “The kid - you could see from the grandstand - is just so calm and mature. I took the luck there, he scored and he was happy with me for going.”

Australia’s 2-0 win over the All Whites secured the Soccer Ashes title for 2023, with Circati partnering Leicester City centre-half Harry Souttar in defence to ensure a clean sheet for the first time in seven internationals.

”With H (Harry Souttar), you know, only being my first game, I felt like we had some chemistry,” Circati told me. “We played well together, we understand each other’s strengths and we played to them.”

As the youngest player on the pitch, Circati’s composure at the back was pivotal in nullifying the influence of Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood.

“His career speaks for itself, he’s playing now at a top club at a top level. Going into the game is just like playing every other game. I just had to do what I had to do and do better than what he did.”

With Australia’s FIFA World Cup upcoming qualifiers against Lebanon, Palestine and Bangladesh, Circati has redirected his attentions to Parma who are atop of Italy’s second division.

“Everything is step by step. I don’t look too far ahead because things can change so quickly in football and I’ve witnessed it already…when the time comes again to play with the Socceroos then I’ll be fully focused with them.”

After scoring his first senior goal for Parma and assisting another at international level, the last few weeks have been “a dream come true” for the former Perth Glory youth player.

“Yeh, it is obviously, being in Australia for 17 years, growing up there, it means a lot”, he explained on his way to the team bus.

Circati recently extended his Parma deal until 2027. The Crociati host fifth-placed Como on match day 10 of Serie B. Volpato’s Sassuolo entertains Lazio at the Mapei Stadium.