Roberto Mancini has confirmed Nicolò Zaniolo and Lorenzo Pellegrini won’t be available to face Switzerland on Friday: ‘They are going home and we will replace them.’
Both Roma midfielders had been included in the Azzurri squad for the last two World Cup qualifying matches against Switzerland and Northern Ireland.
However, Pellegrini has knee issues, while Zaniolo has a problem in his left calf.
“I think Pellegrini and Zaniolo will return home today, we will evaluate Nicolò Barella, but it doesn’t seem anything serious. We will replace them with two midfielders, we are deciding who,” Mancini said at a press conference attended by Football Italia.
“Zaniolo was a bit unlucky because he suffered two serious injuries, he is young and he has the qualities to get over it.
“It could have been an important game for him, but he has a problem and we can’t take any risk. I don’t think he needs my advice, he has the quality and he can improve in everything.
“We will surely replace them [Pellegrini and Zaniolo] because we also need to assess Barella. We didn’t call Pessina because he is not ready.”
However, Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci seem fit to play despite missing Juventus‘ last Serie A match against Fiorentina.
“They feel well, we have a training session today. We’ll see how everyone feels,” Mancini said.
The former Manchester City tactician is dealing with an injury crisis in midfield as Marco Verratti won’t be available for games against Switzerland and Northern Ireland due to a hip injury he sustained during Olympique Marseille-PSG two weeks ago.