Nicolò Zaniolo was reportedly going to be called up for Italy in the Nations League after Matteo Pessina’s injury, but the Roma man is hurt too, so Sandro Tonali gets the nod.
Roberto Mancini is having to make numerous changes to the 23-man squad he called up for the tournament, which begins with the semi-final against Spain on October 6.
Ciro Immobile and Rafael Toloi have already pulled out, then Pessina was stretchered off with a suspected thigh strain during Atalanta’s 3-2 defeat to Milan.
It was reported by DAZN and La Gazzetta dello Sport that Zaniolo would be next in line to replace Pessina.
However, reports emerged that he too was hurt during Roma’s 2-0 win over Empoli with a flexor issue.
Not Sky Sport Italia claim that Milan midfielder Tonali has been asked to step in as another alternate for the Nations League group.
Juventus forward Moise Kean replaced Immobile, while Milan right-back Davide Calabria has been called after Toloi’s injury.
Per il centrocampista rossonero sarebbe un ritorno con gli @Azzurri dopo quasi un anno di assenza https://t.co/hW2lGpQo81
— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) October 3, 2021