Italy concern as stars Bastoni and Calafiori injured before World Cup play-off
Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso will be waiting for updates from Inter and Arsenal as Azzurri stars Alessandro Bastoni and Riccardo Calafiori suffered injuries in their latest club appearances, barely two weeks before the World Cup play-off semifinal against Northern Ireland.
Italy defenders Bastoni and Calafiori sustained injuries over the last weekend, and the Azzurri will be waiting for updates from their clubs, Inter and Arsenal, ahead of a crucial match against Northern Ireland on the horizon.
Calafiori was subbed off during Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Mansfield Town on Saturday. After the match, the Gunners’ coach Mikel Arteta said Calafiori had had “little niggles” and wasn’t “comfortable continuing.”
Arsenal play Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday, and Arteta will likely provide a fresh update on Tuesday, the eve of the game.
Bastoni, on the other hand, sustained an injury during Inter’s 1-0 loss against Milan in the derby della Madonnina on Sunday and had to be substituted after coming off worse in a challenge with Adrien Rabiot that even cost him a yellow card.
“He took a knock in the shin,” Inter coach Cristian Chivu said in his post-match press conference on Sunday.
“He was limping; we’ll see over the next few days, but it’s a knock.”
Inter players have a day off today, so, as reported by Gazzetta, the club’s medical staff will assess Bastoni’s condition on Tuesday.
Bastoni looked to be in a lot of pain and limped off the pitch, helped to the bench by Inter’s medical staff. Nevertheless, the Nerazzurri and Italy hope that 48 hours of rest will be enough for the defender to be fit for the next few matches.
Bastoni has made four appearances under Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso, missing one due to suspension and spending another entirely on the bench.
Calafiori has played three times under Gattuso, missing two matches due to injury and remaining on the bench once.
Italy host Northern Ireland in the World Cup play-off semifinal on March 26, and if they progress to the final, they will visit the winner of Wales-Bosnia and Herzegovina.