Italy trio risk suspension ahead of final World Cup Qualifiers

Italy may likely lose three players to suspension in their final FIFA World Cup qualifiers games 

The Azzurri are preparing for their final two World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Norway, as  Davide Frattesi, Sandro Tonali, and Andrea Cambiaso are at risk of suspension if they receive another yellow card.

However, this punishment can be avoided altogether as their accumulation of cautions resets before the play-off round.

They are currently one booking away from a one-match ban. Should they be booked in the final qualifier against Norway, they would be unavailable for their first play-off match.

This could be a big blow for Genarro Gatusso men who have only the playoff berth for World Cup up qualification as Norway have more edge in qualifying automatically for the event to be hosted in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Italy could skip many bookings against minnows Moldova, but may not escape it in a more fiercely contested tie with Erling Haaland’s Norway.

As it could be frustrating for Gattuso if a key player like Tonali misses what will likely be a vital play-off clash against potentially tricky teams like Sweden, North Macedonia, and Northern Ireland, the manager could rest him against Moldova. At least, that could assure him of playing in the last game.

The only way the Azzurri could qualify automatically for the World Cup and avoid the play-offs is if Estonia pull off a dramatic shock at Norway on Thursday and the Azzurri follow it up with a victory of their own against the Scandinavian team. 

However, with the current situation, Norway are unlikely to falter to the minnows and another round of games deciding the Azzurri’s World Cup fate is more or less guaranteed.

Gatusso will be delighted if the trio succeed in avoiding going into the referee’s book altogether for the next two games. This would also be a great help to their coach and teammates.