Luciano Spalletti will be without both Riccardo Calafiori and Lorenzo Pellegrini for Monday’s Nations League clash against Israel, after the Azzurri pair picked up minor injuries against France on Friday.
Two Italy players ruled out of Israel game
Calafiori is returning to Arsenal after suffering bruising to his calf, following an unfortunate accident involving Ousmane Dembele. Pellegrini, meanwhile, reported an issue with his flexor muscles against France and was substituted at half-time, with Giacomo Raspadori coming on to replace him.
Both players will return to their parent clubs and miss out on the Israel game in Hungary.
Though official line-ups will not be confirmed until Monday evening, it is likely that Alessandro Buongiorno will be given an opportunity to start on the left-hand side of Italy’s back three in place of Calafiori.
There are slightly more options when it comes to Pellegrini. He started in the advanced midfield role behind the striker in a 3-5-1-1 against France.
Raspadori could be Pellegrini’s natural replacement, there is also Atalanta’s Marco Brescianini, who made his senior debut against France on Friday. There could also be a slight tweak in the attacking system, which could provide an opportunity for Lazio’s Mattia Zaccagni.
