Roberto Mancini may be forced to cope without Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci against Switzerland as the Juventus defenders missed the game against Fiorentina due to injuries.
Italy host Switzerland at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Friday, in a crucial World Cup Qualifying match.
Roberto Mancini and his staff will be closely monitoring Bonucci and Chiellini, who missed Saturday’s Juventus-Fiorentina with slight muscle injuries.
Chiellini suffered a slight injury at his right adductor, while Bonucci had muscle fatigue.
According to Calciomercato.com, both players will join the national team tomorrow and undergo medical examinations upon their arrival at Coverciano.
Italy are already without Marco Verratti, who sustained a hip injury with PSG and will return to action after the break.
Italy and Switzerland are on even points on top of Group C, but the Azzurri have a better goal difference.
Roberto Mancini’s side will face Switzerland next Friday and Northern Ireland on Monday, November 15 in their last two World Cup qualifying matches.
#Mancini in ansia per #Bonucci e #Chiellini: rischiano di saltare la sfida decisiva contro la Svizzera https://t.co/GsB9aCJ9hB pic.twitter.com/xOJCHmaDYV
— calciomercato.com (@cmdotcom) November 7, 2021
I am confident that Italy will win both games and go through but still a little unbelievable and annoying that the Swiss are tied with us. We blew those two games against Bulgaria and Swiss.. even one victory would have made this a lot more comfortable.
By the sounds of it, Chiellini’s is worse.
Really hope this isn’t the ready-made excuse they will have. I don’t care who is in there, must NOT lose versus the Swiss.
Midfield isn’t a problem, we have so much cover there. In a way it’s a good thing as Verratti and Barella should be kept on their toes. I’m looking forward to seeing Locatelli and Pellegrini in midfield together, should be fun to watch.
Defence is more cause for concern as pairings will be untested, but Mancini and Acerbi can do a good job in the event Bastoni is added to the injury list.
Pellegrini likely injured Token B