Injury rules Retegui out of Italy's Nations League clash with Germany
Key striker Mateo Retegui was Wednesday ruled out of Italy's Nations League quarter-final against Germany after picking up a thigh injury, the country's football federation (FIGC) said.
In a statement, the FIGC said Atalanta striker Retegui had an unspecified problem in his right thigh which has ruled him out of both legs of the last-eight tie, with Italy hosting Germany in the first leg at Milan's San Siro on Thursday night.
Retegui is a big miss for coach Luciano Spalletti as he has established himself as Italy's starting centre-forward since playing a fringe role in the Azzurri's awful title defence at last year's European Championship.
The 25-year-old has had a hugely positive season after moving from Genoa late in last summer's transfer window, leading the Serie A scoring charts with 22 goals and adding three more in the Champions League.
Since choosing to play for Italy in 2023, Argentina-born Retegui has scored six times in 18 international appearances.
"We sent him home because he wasn't going to make it for the matches," Spalletti told reporters.
"There isn't a serious problem but he has this strain, so like we always do when there is any doubt we've sent him back to his club."
Spalletti added he would not be calling up anyone to replace Retegui "for now", but that could change depending on what happens in the first leg.
The 66-year-old said he would bring in either Roberto Piccoli from Cagliari or diminutive Roma forward Tommaso Baldanzi should he decide to add to his squad for Sunday's second leg in Dortmund.
Retegui's place on Thursday will be taken by Moise Kean who is a another player to have had an impressive season at a new club, with the 25-year-old scoring 20 times in all competitions for Fiorentina.
"He's a lad who cares a lot about his profession and his teammates. He's got that moral quality and team spirit that we want to have," said Spalletti.
- 'Not extraordinary decision' -
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has injury problems of his own with key forwards Kai Havertz, Florian Wirtz and Niclas Fuellkrug all missing.
Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann will start in place of Marc-Andre Ter Stegen who is still out of action with a serious knee injury.
However Nagelsmann can call upon the talent of long-term international outcasts Leon Goretzka, who last played for his country in 2023, and Borussia Dortmund's Karim Adeyemi.
"Since Vincent Kompany has been at Bayern, Leon has become an important player again," said Nagelsmann.
"In the end, it was his performances that were decisive. It's not a particularly extraordinary decision. He is a good, very experienced Bundesliga player who has shown good, very good performances in the last few weeks. That's why he was picked."
Nagelsmann added that the absences, and the fact that his team are playing the away leg first, will not affect his approach even though Germany have conceded a goal in every official away match since he took charge.
"Our approach will be nearly the same. I think it's important that all the players know what to do," he said.
"We are a team that wants to attack, we want to score goals."
The winner of the quarter-final will host the Nations League finals in June, with Italy opting for Turin should they get through.
td/dj
Topics
-
Serie A leading scorer Retegui to miss Italy’s Nations League quarterfinal matches against Germany
Serie A’s leading scorer Mateo Retegui will miss both of Italy’s upcoming Nations League quarterfinal matches against Germany due to a right thigh injury, the Italian soccer federation announced ...Yahoo Sports - 11h -
Injured Germany star visits national team ahead of Italy clash
So often relied upon by Hansi Flick and Julian Nagelsmann, Niclas Füllkrug missed out on Germany’s latest squad because of a hamstring injury. But that didn’t prevent the West Ham United striker ...Yahoo Sports - 14h -
Lazio Duo Called Up for Italy Squad Ahead of UEFA Nations League Quarter-Finals vs Germany
Lazio will have two representatives in the Italy squad that will take on Germany in the UEFA Nations League Quarter-finals, as Mattia Zaccagni and Nicolo Rovella were both selected.The ...Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Nagelsmann: ‘Italy play good football, but Germany want to win’
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann insists they ‘want to win both games’ against Italy in the Nations League quarter-final, but recognises Luciano Spalletti’s side ‘play good football.’The firs...Yahoo Sports - 6h -
Every word Italy coach Spalletti said on Germany, Azzurri injuries and Kean
Luciano Spalletti admits that Andrea Cambiaso and Mattia Zaccagni may only be available for Italy’s second-leg Nations League game against Germany and feels Moise Kean is well suited for a ‘physic...Yahoo Sports - 10h -
Italy vs Germany: Why their latest Nations League clash matters
It is one of international football’s elite fixtures and always so much more than a glorified friendly. Giancarlo Rinaldi looks ahead to the latest chapter of Italy’s epic rivalry with Germany.Any...Yahoo Sports - 13h -
Völler warns against Italy - but believes Germany will get through
Germany will be looking to take the next step in the UEFA Nations League when they take on Italy in the quarter-finals this month.Having played in the Serie A with AS Roma during his playing days, ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Buffon: Italy have an 'ultra competitive' team for Germany quarters
Italy are not underdogs in this week's Nations League quarter-final tie with Germany, their former goalkeeper great Gianluigi Buffon has said. "Italy have an ultra-competitive team with a smart and ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Which Serie A side has the most players in the latest Italy squad?
Luciano Spalletti’s former side Napoli have five representatives in the latest Italy national team squad for the Nations League quarter-finals against Germany coming up in March, which means that ...Yahoo Sports - 5d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
John Lynch addresses 49ers' lopsided offseason full of free agency losses
San Francisco 49ers GM John Lynch insists team has a plan during slow free agency.Yahoo Sports - 5m -
First Four announcers for Southern vs. UC San Diego: Who's calling the ESPNU game?
Eric Frede and Christy Winters-Scott will be joined by one of the best sideline reporters in the game Wednesday night.Yahoo Sports - 7m -
Lakers vs Nuggets: Live updates and highlights
Live updates and highlights from Wednesday's game between the Lakers and Nuggets.Yahoo Sports - 10m -
Raheem Mostert joins Raiders, excited to work with Geno Smith and revitalize team's rushing attack
Raheem Mostert was on a call with Las Vegas Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and running backs coach Deland McCullough when he got a text from an unfamiliar number. Smith's text reassured ...Yahoo Sports - 10m -
Browns continue to attack Art Modell Law as "unconstitutional"
Thirty years after the Browns left Cleveland because they couldn't get a new stadium, the Browns are attacking the law that was passed to keep the Browns from leaving Cleveland in order to get a ...Yahoo Sports - 12m
More in Sports
-
John Lynch addresses 49ers' lopsided offseason full of free agency losses
San Francisco 49ers GM John Lynch insists team has a plan during slow free agency.Yahoo Sports - 5m -
First Four announcers for Southern vs. UC San Diego: Who's calling the ESPNU game?
Eric Frede and Christy Winters-Scott will be joined by one of the best sideline reporters in the game Wednesday night.Yahoo Sports - 7m -
Lakers vs Nuggets: Live updates and highlights
Live updates and highlights from Wednesday's game between the Lakers and Nuggets.Yahoo Sports - 10m -
Raheem Mostert joins Raiders, excited to work with Geno Smith and revitalize team's rushing attack
Raheem Mostert was on a call with Las Vegas Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and running backs coach Deland McCullough when he got a text from an unfamiliar number. Smith's text reassured ...Yahoo Sports - 10m -
Browns continue to attack Art Modell Law as "unconstitutional"
Thirty years after the Browns left Cleveland because they couldn't get a new stadium, the Browns are attacking the law that was passed to keep the Browns from leaving Cleveland in order to get a ...Yahoo Sports - 12m