There are concerns for Napoli defender Giovanni Di Lorenzo, who was seen leaving the stadium with crutches, so is at risk for Italy’s World Cup play-offs.
The right-back had been called up by Roberto Mancini for the match against North Macedonia on March 24, then hopefully against either Turkey or Portugal for a place at Qatar 2022.
That is now in doubt, because Di Lorenzo limped off during Napoli’s 2-1 win over Udinese at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona this afternoon.
He was injured during a nasty collision with Udinese goalkeeper Marco Silvestri and he came off worse.
Initially, it was believed he’d just had a knock to the ribs and was winded.
However, DAZN report Di Lorenzo was spotted leaving the stadium on crutches.
He is expected to join the Italy squad tomorrow at the Coverciano ground, then have tests there on his right knee.
It is painful, but both Napoli and the Azzurri hope it is just a bruise and not something more serious.
#Napoli Giovanni #DiLorenzo, uscito nel finale del match contro l’#Udinese, ha riportato un trauma contusivo distorsivo del ginocchio destro. Le sue condizioni saranno valutate nel ritiro della Nazionale.
— Claudio Russo (@claudioruss) March 19, 2022
Just typical.
Rugby and hockey players go to hell and back physically and they get right back up. Footballers milk these injuries to the nth degree.
Good, I don’t like him. Not bad going forward but poor at defending
You two have no idea what you’re talking about.
He’s not ‘milking’ anything, he’s played every single game this season.
“Poor at defending’? You have a concussion or something?
No Bury, I do not have a concussion. Making references to a potentially serious injury is also frankly in poor taste ( just ask retired players who have dementia). I hope he has to withdraw from the Italy squad because I believe there are better full backs available.