Gennaro Gatusso confirms good news for Newcastle United ahead of Italy's meeting with Norway
Italy take on Norway in the final Group I World Cup Qualifier on Sunday with the Italians needing at least a 9-0 win to top the group and gain automatic qualification.
Italy's only real hope of stealing top spot from Norway was if they had failed to beat Estonia in midweek before Italy took on Moldova; however, Gennarro Gatusso's side kicked off that game knowing that Norway had beaten Estonia 4-1 earlier that day.
Erling Haaland's Norway have been scoring for fun in the qualifiers, having beaten Moldova 11-1 in September and then Israel 5-0 in October.
Norway's goal difference is vastly superior to Italy's, and they are three points ahead of Gatusso's men, so only a huge win would give the Italian's any chance on Sunday.
Sandro Tonali will miss Italy's game against Norway on Sunday
While they will still want to win the game tomorrow, Italy know they will now have a play-off to contend with in March, and as a result, they will not risk Sandro Tonali tomorrow, who is one booking away from a suspension.
Gatusso has confirmed (via The Chronicle) that Tonali will watch from the sidelines and won't even be in the matchday squad on Sunday, and neither will Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori.
"Calafiori tried to play yesterday, but we decided not to risk him.
"So he won’t be there, just like Tonali, who won’t be playing either, to avoid risking him given his yellow card. Both will be at the stadium tomorrow."
Newcastle are going to need Sandro Tonali in tip-top shape on Saturday
That's great news for Newcastle United as it massively reduces his risk of injury before returning to Tyneside ahead of a massive game against Manchester City next weekend.
Newcastle are going to need all hands on deck on Saturday to try and grab their first away win of the season at one of the most unlikely places to do so.
Stranger things have happened, but we will definitely need the likes of Sandro Tonali fully fit and raring to go.
