Italy’s Nations League camp has lost two experienced figures before the long international window, with Federico Dimarco and Bryan Cristante forced out after picking up fitness problems in Roma’s 2-2 draw with Inter.
The absences will also be noted in France, where Zinédine Zidane’s new-look national side are preparing to face the Azzurri on 2 October. Italy have four fixtures in little more than a week and will enter them without two players carrying a combined 86 caps.
Quick facts
- Federico Dimarco has withdrawn after medical checks confirmed he had not fully recovered from an injury.
- The Inter left-sided player, capped 38 times, was hurt during Saturday’s draw against Roma.
- Roma captain Bryan Cristante, who has 48 Italy appearances, was also injured in the same match.
- Aston Villa defender Matteo Ruggeri replaces Dimarco, while Como midfielder Samuele Ricci comes in for Cristante.
- Italy face Belgium on 25 September, Turkey on 28 September and 5 October, and France on 2 October.
Dimarco left the Italy training base on Monday after undergoing examinations. The Inter player had been included in Roberto Mancini’s squad, but was judged not ready to continue with the national team.
The 2025-26 Serie A player of the season had been expected to provide width and delivery from the left. His replacement is Ruggeri, the 24-year-old Aston Villa full-back, who arrives as Italy seek cover for a demanding sequence of matches.
Cristante’s withdrawal had been confirmed on Sunday evening. The Roma midfielder and captain was also affected by the weekend meeting between the Giallorossi and Nerazzurri, removing another established option from Mancini’s group.
Ricci, now with Como, has been called up to fill the vacancy in midfield. Italy begin against Belgium on 25 September before meeting Turkey three days later.
The match against France comes on 2 October, with Zidane now in charge of Les Bleus, before Italy complete the window with a second game against Turkey on 5 October.
