Roberto Mancini will be anxiously waiting for fitness updates on Nicolò Barella and Alessandro Bastoni who were subbed off injured during the Milan derby.
Both players were subbed off in the second half with flexor problems. Edin Dzeko was also replaced with a similar issue.
Inter were not quite lucky, but the same goes for Roberto Mancini’s Italy.
The Azzurri will be without Marco Verratti for the upcoming World Cup qualifying matches against Switzerland and Northern Ireland.
The Italy international picked up a hip injury two weeks ago during Olympique Marseille- PSG and will return to action with his club after the break.
If Barella’s injury prevents him from playing with the Azzurri, Mancini will be without two of his three starting midfielders.
There could be cause for concern also in the defensive department. Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci will undergo medical examinations in Coverciano tomorrow after missing Juventus‘ Serie A clash against Fiorentina on Saturday.
Bastoni is one of the defenders included in the Azzurri squad, but the Nerazzurri centre-back was also subbed-off in the 84th minute of the derby by Federico Dimarco.
According to DAZN, he also complained about a physical issue.
Italy are the Group C leaders, on even points with Switzerland, which they host at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Friday.
The last World Cup qualifying match is in Northern Ireland on Monday, November 15.
UPDATE: During post-match interviews with DAZN, Bastoni suggested that he should be available for the Azzurri, but Simone Inzaghi stressed that Inter will have to ‘make their assessments regarding their injured players.
The coach added that Barella has muscle fatigue, while Bastoni is dealing with adductor problems.
Wonderful timing
This is exactly why I am concerned.
Then, Tonali, Jorginho, Locatelli
Insigne, Immobile, Chiesa. Pobega will need to be introduced into the match coming off the bench. Perhaps, Bernadeschi and Pobega ( he plays in midfield but could play on the wing) and drop Chiesa into midfield, of needed.
Let’s call up El Faraone and add him as an attacking option replacing Barella. El Faraone has been playing well enough for Roma to warrant a call up.
Chiesa could play in midfield with Jorgingho and Locatelli.
Di Lorenzo, Acerbi, Biraghi, and Pamieri in defence and/or Darmian if Bonucci and Chiellini cannot play.
Thoughts?
@Vittorio
I agree for El Faraone
But I think Calabria is better option than Di Lorenzo.
And also Raspadori, Scamacca and Kean in attack.