September 12, (THEWILL) – Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali is the most recent player forced to withdraw from the Italy squad ahead of their crucial Euro 2024 qualifier against Ukraine on Tuesday night.
The midfielder has been ruled out with an unspecified muscle injury, adding to coach, Luciano Spalletti’s selection woes. The coach has made it clear he will not pick players carrying even minor injuries. As a result, forwards Matteo Politano and Federico Chiesa and Roma pair, Gianluca Mancini and Lorenzo Pellegrini, were also omitted from the squad.
With two automatic qualification spots up for grabs, reigning European champions, Italy, currently sit third in Group C, three points behind second-placed Ukraine and nine off leaders, England. Defeating Ukraine in Milan would significantly boost Italy’s chances of reaching next summer’s tournament in Germany.
Politano and Mancini were both injured during Italy’s disappointing 1-1 draw away to North Macedonia on Saturday. Chiesa and Pellegrini had already been ruled out prior to that match. Spalletti now faces the task of qualifying for the Euros with an injury-hit squad. But his focus will be on securing three vital points against their closest rivals, Ukraine, at the San Siro on Tuesday night.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
