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.