Injury problems are piling up for Roberto Mancini, as Lazio striker Ciro Immobile sustained a calf issue in training and is out of Italy’s World Cup qualifier with Switzerland, so Gianluca Scamacca is called in.
The two joint group leaders go head-to-head at the Stadio Olimpico on Friday evening and only one will have direct access to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, as the runners-up go into a play-off.
Immobile was expected to start upfront in the 4-3-3 formation, but the Lazio hitman pulled up during training today with a calf issue, according to Sky Sport Italia.
It’s reported he has now left the Coverciano training ground following tests on the muscular injury.
In his place, the CT has called in Sassuolo centre-forward and Italy Under-21 international Scamacca.
Meanwhile, Inter midfielder Nicolò Barella was training separately today after a hamstring twinge during the 1-1 Derby della Madonnina draw with Milan on Sunday evening.
ULTIM’ORA QATAR 2022
ITALIA, IMMOBILE LASCIA IL RITIRO DI COVERCIANO
AL SUO POSTO VIENE CONVOCATO SCAMACCA#SkySport #Immobile #Scamacca— skysport (@SkySport) November 9, 2021
These guys would never make it in hockey or rugby. Incredible. Any little discomfort and they break down in tears. I can guarantee you that the Swiss aren’t whining about every little ache and pain. Aside from Xhaka, anybody know what injuries they have?
No idea what Mancio has in mind now. Hopefully the Roman, Scamacca, can do well in his hometown if he goes that route. Boh.
HAVE CHIESA TRAIN IN BUBBLE WRAP !
Tell Chiesa to sit down in a hot tub until the game. Because if he gets injured, the best we can get with all these injuries is a nil nil.
Immobile shouldnt have played against Marseille and Salernitana. He was injured and they rushed him to play while he was not ready! Now he has to lose the crucial fixtures with Italy! The same happened with Pellegrini and Zaniolo. Roma forced them play while not fit enough!
Why not call Lorenzo Lucca instead, Scamacca hasn’t been too convincing this season
Roma forced Pellegrini and Zaniolo play while not fit enough. Lazio did the same with Immobile! Too bad!
Dangerboy:
Granit Xhaka, Haris Seferovic, Nico Elvedi, Breel Embolo, Gregor Kobel, Zesiger, Christian Fassnacht and today Zuber have all pulled out.
Swing and a miss.
In Switzerland key players are: Sommer and Shakiri. Sommer has not conceded a goal in the last four match in Swiss squad.
Foul Tip!
You mean because I figured the Swiss wouldn’t be missing anybody?
Still a lot less than our absentees.
My point stands. What calf injury could he possibly have suffered in Training today? So Friday is not possible but not even 15 Minutes on Monday. After the failure of 2017, one would think he would he the first to make it right.
@dangerboy. I love hockey. Always a fan. But lets see them on the ice for ninety minutes. They can change lines every five minutes. Lets see them compete in league games, Cup games, and international duty every season. Don’t even try to compare the two sports.
European hockey sched is probably 40 or 50 matches.
In North America 82 matches, plus 2 Months of Playoffs for the Finalists.
Practices as well.
Ones a contact sport, the other isn’t, however contact always.
Between these injuries and a Rugby game being played there, I swear I hope they don’t start making excuses about heavy pitch, wrong choice of studs, the wind was 1 KM/H more than usual, etc. Check them at the door.
Losing on Friday is not an option. I don’t care if they have to dive, shirt pull, hair pull and scratch, losing is not possible. We already spotted them a Draw when we played them in Basel.
A draw may be not enough in case they win on Monday by 2 more goals than us againt N. Ireland
Bulgaria should ALWAYS be better than Northern Ireland, so you would think advantage to Italy, but you can’t test this. Especially since the Swiss finish at Home, while we go to Belfast.
When we played Lithuania the 2nd time, we put 5 past them in an hour. Then coasted the rest of the way. In retrospect a goal or two more would have been useful in case it comes down to Tie Breakers.
He probably faked the injury to spare himself the abuse on social media.
as much as i like Ciro and want him to do well, the azzurri shirt is like kryptonite to him.
big chance for Scamacca. hope he gets game time.
Is Kean not available?
No.
Kean’s not played for a few weeks.
Raspadori,Scamacca combined have not up to 5 league goals between them….Lorenzo Lucca would have been better,no more sentiment