Sandro Tonali will have an MRI after leaving Wednesday’s Champions League game vs Barcelona with a suspected muscle injury. Newcastle and Italy await results ahead of matches vs Sunderland and Northern Ireland (World Cup play-off semi on March 26). Punters should treat Tonali as doubtful for starts and player-prop bets — consider hedging on alternatives or backing teams while avoiding bets that depend on him starting or scoring.
Sandro Tonali to Undergo MRI After Muscle Problem in Champions League
Sandro Tonali will have an MRI scan today to determine the extent of a muscle injury sustained during Wednesday’s Champions League match against Barcelona. The injury forced the midfielder off in the second half, leaving both his club and national team anxious about his availability for upcoming fixtures.
Club and Country Await Medical Verdict
Newcastle and the Italy national team are waiting on the scan results to decide Tonali’s status for immediate matches. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe admitted after the game that Tonali is doubtful for the next Premier League fixture against Sunderland. Italy face a more urgent concern with a World Cup play-off semi-final looming.
World Cup Play-off Implications
Italy will host Northern Ireland in Bergamo on March 26 in the semi-final, with the winner heading to an away final against either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina. Tonali had been viewed as a near-certain starter for Italy, so any significant setback would force coach Gennaro Gattuso to reshuffle midfield plans ahead of the crucial tie.
Manager Comments and Next Steps
Both Newcastle and Italy will rely on the MRI to guide selection and preparation. If the scan reveals a mild issue, Tonali could be fast-tracked for recovery; a more serious muscle injury would likely rule him out of both the Sunderland match and the World Cup play-off, prompting tactical adjustments.
Betting and Team-Selection Considerations
From a betting perspective, treat Tonali as doubtful until medical updates arrive. Avoid player-starting and goal-scorer bets that hinge on him.
Italy worried as Tonali injured during Newcastle United battle with Barcelona
Punters should consider hedging, backing Newcastle and Italy on team markets while factoring in potential lineup changes, or targeting alternatives in player-prop markets until the MRI results are confirmed.
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