Virus-hit Italy hosts Poland without coach and star forward

By: Daniella Matar, The Associated Press Posted: 12:27 PM CST Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020 Last Modified: 1:09 PM CST Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020

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Without its coach and star forward, Italy can’t afford to lose against Poland in what could be a decisive Nations League clash on Sunday.

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Without its coach and star forward, Italy can’t afford to lose against Poland in what could be a decisive Nations League clash on Sunday.

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This article was published 14/11/2020 (2102 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Without its coach and star forward, Italy can’t afford to lose against Poland in what could be a decisive Nations League clash on Sunday.

They meet at Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia knowing that victory for either side will likely send it to the Nations League finals.

Poland tops Group 1 in League A. It is a point above Italy and two above the Netherlands. Italy plays in Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday, while Poland hosts the Netherlands.

FILE - In this Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020 file photo, Italy's coach Roberto Mancini wears a face mask during the international friendly soccer match between Italy and Moldova, at the Artemio Franchi stadium, in Florence, Italy. Italy coach Roberto Mancini has tested positive for the coronavirus days before the international break. The Italian soccer federation says that Mancini is “completely asymptomatic” and is self-isolating at his house in Rome. The Italy squad will meet up on Sunday. It plays an international friendly against Estonia on Wednesday and hosts Poland in the Nations League four days later. (Marco Bucco/LaPresse via AP)

Italy has been beset by problems heading into these qualifiers, mainly to do with the coronavirus.

Coach Roberto Mancini is still at home in Rome self-isolating after contracting COVID-19, as is Lazio forward Ciro Immobile, last season’s European Golden Shoe winner.

Mancini will again be replaced by assistant coach Alberigo Evani, who was in charge on Wednesday when Estonia was beaten 4-0 in a friendly.

“It’s not an easy period for any of us,” Italy defender Emerson said. “This season is a bit different from past ones.

“Our coach is unfortunately at home, but those of us who are here must do all that we can for those who can’t be.”

Italy will also be without one of its key defenders as it prepares to face one of Europe’s top goalscorers in Robert Lewandowski.

Defender Leonardo Bonucci was hoping to make his 100th appearance for Italy but will return to Juventus on Sunday after failing to recover from a muscular injury.

“I’ve lost count by now of the number of players we have out,” Evani said on Saturday. “But this is more than a squad, it’s almost a family that doesn’t feel sorry for itself and will try to still be superior to a strong team like Poland, which at the moment has someone who is probably the best forward in Europe.”

Italy midfielder Roberto Gagliardini left the Azzurri camp on Saturday after a possible return of the virus. Gagliardini had the virus last month but recovered. He played all of Wednesday’s match but an inconclusive test result has forced him to return to his club Inter Milan as a precaution.

Italy forwards Moise Kean and Pietro Pellegri withdrew from the squad on Friday because of injury, adding to the list of players who pulled out earlier in the week. Kean was replaced by Udinese forward Stefano Okaka.

Italy's Vincenzo Grifo, front left, celebrates scoring the third goal of the game during the international friendly soccer match between Italy and Estonia, at the Artemio Franchi Stadium in Florence, Italy, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020. (Fabio Ferrari/LaPresse via AP)

Another Italy forward, Andrea Belotti, is also struggling with injury.

“The priority will be to understand who is fit to play without running risks,” Evani said. “The 11 players who are in the best condition will play, we can’t risk having to make a substitution after a few minutes, nor putting them at risk.”

Italy drew in Poland 0-0 last month.

Victory for either Italy or Poland would give it a significant advantage heading into the final round of fixtures but qualification would by no means be a foregone conclusion.

Italy drew at home to Bosnia in the opening round, ending an 11-match winning streak, while Poland lost to the Netherlands.

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