Samuele Ricci’s availability for Italy’s upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against Belgium and France has been cast into doubt following an injury scare during Torino’s Derby della Mole against Juventus.
The midfielder was forced to leave the field after a collision with Federico Gatti, appearing to have sustained an ankle injury. This setback comes at a crucial time for the Azzurri, who are on the brink of securing their place in the Nations League quarter-finals.
Italy’s national team coach Luciano Spalletti now faces an anxious wait to assess Ricci’s condition ahead of the crucial matches. The Azzurri are set to face Belgium in Brussels on November 14, followed by a home game against France at San Siro on November 17. Italy needs just one point from these two matches to guarantee their progression to the knockout stage.
Torino’s injury woes extended beyond Ricci, with Ivan Ilic also departing the match at half-time due to a reported adductor issue. This double blow adds to an already extensive injury list for the Granata, who entered the derby without key players such as Duvan Zapata, Che Adams, Zanos Savva, Perr Schuurs, and Emirhan Ilkhan.
As the Italian football federation awaits updates on Ricci’s fitness, Spalletti may need to consider alternative options for his midfield lineup. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether Ricci can recover in time to contribute to Italy’s Nations League campaign or if the national team will need to adapt their plans for these pivotal encounters.
