Italy manager Luciano Spalletti has provided an update on Riccardo Calafiori’s fitness after the defender suffered an awkward fall.
The Arsenal star appeared to land painfully during Italy’s defeat to Germany on Thursday night.
Spalletti’s side were beaten 2-1 at the San Siro as the visitors came from behind to win their Nations League quarter-final first leg.
Sandro Tonali opened the scoring for the hosts before goals from Tim Kleindienst and Leon Goretzka turned the match around.
In another potential blow to Italy, Calafiori appeared to pick up an issue during the match.
As Germany came forward, the defender stepped forward in an attempt to intercept a pass.
However, his right leg slipped from underneath him, causing Calafiori to heavily fall to the floor and land on his knee.
The 22-year-old immediately appeared in some discomfort as he stayed down on the pitch.
After receiving treatment, though, he was able to continue and went on to play the full 90 minutes.
Following the defeat, Spalletti provided an update on Calafiori’s fitness.
He confirmed that Italy’s medical staff will assess the versatile defender.
The Azzurri boss told reporters: “We still don’t know if he’s injured. Ricky feels something strange at his knee but we still don’t know.”
Italy are back in action for the second leg on Sunday, facing Germany in Dortmund for a place in June’s semi-finals.
There will be concerns surrounding Calafiori, with the potential injury sustained to the same knee he badly damaged as a 16-year-old at Roma.
He reflected on the severity of that injury back in January, telling the Gunners website: “To be honest, I was lucky that I was so young, because I was 16.
“My only thoughts were coming back from the injury and just playing again, because, as you mentioned before, they said I would probably stop my career before it’s even started.
“So I just want to play again and that’s it.”
Calafiori ultimately missed nine months due to the injury, causing him to be sidelined for almost an entire season.
Since moving to the Emirates Stadium last summer, he has so far avoided any serious injuries.
However, Calafiori did miss eight matches for club and country from October to November due to a knee problem.
