Injured Calafiori misses Italy's Nations League clash with Israel

Riccardo Calafiori will miss Italy's Nations League fixture against Israel with a calf injury, the country's football federation said on Sunday.

In a statement, the FIGC said that Calafiori would return to Arsenal after suffering a bruised left calf in Friday's impressive 3-1 win over France in Paris.

Calafiori, 22, was hurt in a freak accident when Ousmane Dembele was sent flying into his calf after being tackled by Alessandro Bastoni.

Italy, whose European Championship title defence ended in humiliating fashion in the last-16 this past summer, face Israel in Budapest on Monday night.

Luciano Spalletti's team are level on three points in Group A2 with Belgium, who beat Israel 3-1 on Friday.

Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori won't feature against Israel tomorrow due to injury. He will return to Arsenal today for recovery 🚨 pic.twitter.com/Qu3qqOgznF

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 8, 2024