Italy’s upcoming fixtures in the UEFA Nations League will witness the absence of two players in Matteo Pessina, who was stretchered off with a knock in Atalanta’s home clash against Milan, and Rafael Toloi who picked up an injury before the game.
Roberto Mancini recently announced the Azzurri’s 23-man squad for two matches in the newly introduced tournament. Italy first take on Spain in the semi-finals on October 6, followed by either the final or a third-place battle less than a week later.
According to reports from Sky Sports Italia, either Roma prodigy Nicolo Zaniolo or Milan talent Sandro Tonali were touted for a spot in the national team roster with Pessina and Toloi expected to miss the tournament in short notice.
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
However, reports from the capital indicate that Zaniolo has picked up a sore knee and will stay put in Rome, leaving Mancini with Tonali at his disposal.
Italy will face Spain in Milan. The other game sees France and Belgium clash in the second semi-final in Turin. The final will take place at San Siro on Sunday evening.