Sandro Tonali
Newcastle United’s midfielder Sandro Tonali will not feature in Italy’s squad for the crucial World Cup qualifier against Norway. The Italian national team faces a daunting task, needing a nine-goal victory to secure automatic qualification. Despite playing the full 90 minutes in Italy’s recent 2-0 win over Moldova, Tonali will be absent from the lineup this Sunday, alongside Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori, due to fitness concerns.
Gattuso said: “Calafiori tried to play yesterday, but we decided not to risk him. So he won’t be there, just like Tonali, who won’t be playing either to avoid risking him given his yellow card. Both will be at the stadium tomorrow.”
Tonali has been a consistent presence for both club and country this season, starting all of Italy’s games during the qualification campaign. His absence raises questions about his fitness, although Italy’s coach Gattuso has not explicitly confirmed any injury. The decision to rest Tonali appears to be precautionary, considering his recent yellow card and the potential risk of aggravating any underlying issues.
Eddie Howe, Newcastle United’s manager, will be keenly observing Tonali’s situation, hoping any fitness concerns will be resolved before the Premier League resumes. Newcastle is set to face Manchester City at St James’ Park on Saturday, November 22, and Tonali’s presence will be crucial for the Magpies as they aim to secure a positive result against the defending champions.
Earlier this month, Tonali addressed speculation about his future at Newcastle, emphasizing a year-by-year approach to his career. He acknowledged the challenges faced during the summer, particularly for teammates like Alex Isak, but expressed contentment with his current situation at the club.
Sandro Tonali said: “This is a tough question because, you know, [in] football you need to think year for year. I don’t want to say I want to stay here 10 years and in two years, three years, four years [or] five years I will go. I want to think, just for me, year for year. This is football. The last summer was tough for us, for Alex [Isak], but this is football. If you have an option for your life, for another team you need to think about everything. I don’t want to say ‘Yes, I want to stay here 10 years’ but now I’m happy here. I don’t think anything about another team.”
Tonali’s absence from the Italian squad highlights the delicate balance between club and international commitments, particularly as players navigate the physical demands of top-level football. As Newcastle prepares for their upcoming fixtures, ensuring Tonali’s fitness will be a priority for both the player and the club.
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