MRI results rule out serious injury, giving Gattuso a key midfielder back just days before Northern Ireland clash
Italy can finally breathe again.
After initial fears of a potentially serious injury, Sandro Tonali has been cleared to play in the upcoming World Cup playoff. Medical tests, including an MRI, confirmed that the Newcastle midfielder did not suffer any muscle damage—only a minor edema.
That means head coach Gennaro Gattuso will have one of his most important players available for Thursday’s crucial clash against Northern Ireland national football team.
What Happened at Camp Nou
The injury scare came during Newcastle’s heavy Champions League defeat against FC Barcelona at Camp Nou. Tonali went down shortly before the hour mark, clutching his left thigh—an image that immediately raised alarms in Italy’s camp.
Given the timing, just days before a must-win playoff, the concern was understandable. Italy cannot afford to lose key players with so much at stake.
Fortunately, follow-up tests delivered the best possible outcome.
Eyes on the Playoff Path
Italy will face Northern Ireland in Bergamo in what is effectively a semifinal for World Cup qualification. A win would send the Azzurri into a final playoff—likely against the winner of Wales vs. Bosnia—for a place at the 2026 World Cup.
For Gattuso, having Tonali available could make all the difference. The former Milan midfielder has become a central figure in Italy’s system, offering balance, intensity, and leadership.
As a precaution, Tonali may sit out Newcastle’s next Premier League match, but the focus is clear: be fully ready for Italy.
And now, after a tense 24 hours, that plan is firmly back on track.
