There are worrying rumours that five players in the current Italy squad and two members of staff tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of the World Cup play-offs.
This would be terrible news if confirmed, as the Azzurri need to beat North Macedonia on Thursday and then either Turkey or Portugal next Tuesday to book their spot at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Dario Marcolin, a former Lazio midfielder, ex-Catania coach and one-time member of Roberto Mancini’s staff, made the allegation speaking to Radio Kiss Kiss this afternoon.
“I heard there are five players in the Nazionale right now who tested positive for the Coronavirus, plus two members of the medical staff,” said Marcolin.
“I don’t know it for certain, but that’s what I heard. In any case, Mancini isn’t panicking.”
It comes after two Inter players – Lautaro Martinez and Matias Vecino – had to pull out of international duty because they tested positive for COVID-19.
Martinez will not be playing with Argentina, while Vecino had to skip the Uruguay call-up.
There are two Inter players in the current Italy squad, specifically Alessandro Bastoni and Nicolò Barella.
The Azzurri have already lost Giovanni Di Lorenzo to a knee injury he sustained playing for Napoli, replaced by Juventus defender Mattia De Sciglio.
Dario Marcolin lancia l’allarme Covid per la Nazionale: “Ci sono cinque calciatori positivi” https://t.co/7TTDp89Jmw
— TUTTOmercatoWEB (@TuttoMercatoWeb) March 22, 2022
The reserves should beat Macedonia so no excuses
first off if its just a sniffle they should be allowed to play enough with the covid nonsense and restricting players. In Canada you do not have to quarantine any longer even if you test positive so what’s the story in europe…different covid rules for a world wide pandemic????
Maybe Marcolin should mind his own business.
If they are Asymptomatic then they have to be there. All the players have either had the virus and as such carry the antibodies naturally or they have had their shots. As such, they would probably be asymptomatic if they tested.
Now. Getting into Turkey or Portugal could prove difficult. You just know they will ask for tests at the border. Just like we would do to them if the ‘Final’ was played in Italy.
Won’t surprise me if Mancio and Lombardo have players on standby.
This just keeps getting worse and worse
It seems that the stars are aligned to keep italy out of the 2022 WC!
@you know me, totally agree… this used to be called a cold?flu… We’ve become soft….
@ Brandon
Good points. Unless it’s a smokescreen c/o Marcolin 😉
And agree with those who think this covid panic has had its time and the players must not be tested if they have no symptoms. Even if it’s a sniffle, let the medics decide if the athletes are fit enough to play. As it always was.
Still can’t understand the insanity of having a one-leg winner-takes-all final match in a country of one of the two competitors instead of having it in a neutral country.
Not too surprising from UEFA though.
I don’t understand I’m italy why people r like this we know the journalist are liars but this guy saying I heard who is probably third hand down the chain and then FI printing this BS like it’s news why doesn’t this guy mind his own business as Brandon mentioned but furthermore why does FI give this any attention is this what journalist have come to its bad enough gazette dell sport is worthless now this.
RuiCosta10,
Agreed. Should have likely been played at a neutral venue. For example the CONCACAF 4th Place vs Oceania (New Zealand) Playoff will be played at the site of the World Cup, Qatar.
As will CONMEBOL’s 5th Place team vs Asia’s Playoff team.
But UEFA has their Playoff in a non-neutral location? Absurd.
Well said @Italia, @Brandon