Nicolò Zaniolo’s return to the Italy squad has been halted before it could properly begin, with the Udinese player leaving the national-team camp after a recurrence of a right-thigh problem.
The decision
Roberto Mancini had already left Zaniolo out of the matchday group for Italy’s opening game of the new cycle against Belgium. The reason has now become clear: the player felt discomfort again in the muscle injury first suffered during Udinese’s Serie A opener against Como on 22 August.
Zaniolo had made a positive start at Coverciano and had also been used in the likely starting side during the early sessions. But the renewed thigh issue kept him out of Saturday’s training at Acqua Acetosa, ruling out his involvement in the squad’s trip to Bursa.
The 26-year-old had hoped he might still be able to join the group for the away fixture in France after missing Turkey. The recovery, however, cannot be completed within a few days, and he will instead return to his club.
It is another frustrating interruption for a player who had been waiting for a chance to re-establish himself with Italy. Mancini first called Zaniolo into the senior squad in 2018, when he was 19 and had only recently joined Roma without yet making his Serie A debut.
Sunday’s picture
Udinese will now focus on having Zaniolo available when the league resumes. Their next Serie A commitment is away to Torino on 12 October, and the club hope the international break will provide enough time for the midfielder to recover.
For Mancini, the attempted recall must wait. Italy’s immediate schedule continues without Zaniolo, while Udinese will monitor a familiar physical concern ahead of a demanding return to the championship.
