Arsenal ace Riccardo Calafiori ‘leaves Italy camp and returns to London’ as injury fears deepen after freak collision
RICCARDO CALAFIORI has left the Italy national team camp and returned back to London.
The Arsenal star picked up an injury on Friday after a freak collision during a Nations League clash.
The Italian will head back to the capital to be assessed by the Arsenal medical team.
Calafiori hobbled off the pitch in the 71st minute in Italy’s match against France at Parc des Princes.
The centre-back returned to international duty following some impressive performances at Euro 2024, which led to his £42million move to the Emirates from Bologna this summer.
And the 22-year-old got injured because of a clash he wasn’t even involved in.
It all started after a clash between Calafiori’s team-mate Alessandro Bastoni and France star Ousmane Dembele in the 66th minute.
Inter Milan ace Bastoni tackled PSG’s Dembele and sent him flying in the air.
Then as he landed, the forward’s left foot made contact with Calafiori’s left leg as he caught him in the back of the knee, studs first.
The Gunners new boy tried to power through but he was subbed off five minutes later.
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On Saturday Italy boss Luciano Spalletti hoped the defender would have recovered for the Gli Azzurri’s next game.
He told reporters: “We need to assess Riccardo but with our staff, we’ve a good chance to have him back with us for the next game.”
But Calafiori heading home now says otherwise and will miss Italy’s clash against Israel in Budapest on Monday night.
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