Zaniolo, Pellegrini add to Italy's injury headaches

Rome, Nov 8, 2021 (AFP) - Italy coach Roberto Mancini said on Monday Roma pair Nicolo Zaniolo and Lorenzo Pellegrini will miss this week's World Cup qualifiers due to injuries.

Winger Zaniolo has a calf issue while midfielder Pellegrini is suffering from a knee problem ahead of Friday's meeting with Switzerland and Monday's trip to Northern Ireland.

Mancini, who led his side to the Euro 2020 title this summer, also said Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella is likely to be fit despite sustaining a thigh injury in last weekend's derby with AC Milan.

"We will assess the situation in the days to come but it doesn't seem to be worrying," he said.

The former Inter Milan boss called up Lazio's uncapped playmaker Danilo Cataldi as well as Atalanta's Matteo Pessina as fellow midfielders Marco Verratti and Rafael Toloi are already ruled out of the games.

The Azzurri sit top of Group C on goal difference with Switzerland in second place also on 14 points with two games each left to play.