Italy’s national football team will be without defender Calafiori for their crucial World Cup qualification match against Norway on November 19, 2023. Manager Gennaro Gattuso confirmed that Calafiori has left the training camp due to injury, emphasizing that it would not be “fair” for him or his club, Arsenal, to play.
Speaking to Sky Sports Italia, Gattuso explained the situation: “Calafiori left the training camp. We tried Calafiori; he had a few issues. I thank him for his commitment: he stayed here for a week. He could have played, perhaps, but it wouldn’t have been fair to him or Arsenal.”
This news comes as a significant setback for both Italy and Arsenal. The Italian team is aiming to secure a place in the 2026 World Cup, needing to win by nine goals or more against Norway to qualify automatically. The absence of Calafiori adds to Arsenal’s challenges, as the club is already missing several key players due to injuries.
The match against Norway marks the end of Italy’s World Cup qualification campaign. With limited time to adapt their strategy, Gattuso will now have to decide between Gianluca Mancini and Alessandro Buongiorno to fill the gap left by Calafiori.
Arsenal, currently at the top of the Premier League table with 26 points, faces their first north London derby of the season against Tottenham on November 23, 2023. The team will be keen to bolster their squad ahead of this important fixture, especially as they navigate the implications of injuries among their players.
As the situation develops, both Italy and Arsenal will focus on their upcoming matches, hoping to achieve their respective goals in the coming weeks.
