Verratti to be replaced by Frattesi due to injury, says Mancini

are getting ready for their encounters with England and Hungary in the Nations League.

Marco Verratti

has suffered an injury when he was playing for

on Sunday, so he is set to miss the games with Italy and Davide Frattesi is likely to be his replacement.

“Verratti is not available, he picked up a knock. Probably I’ll call Frattesi [to replace him]. I don’t think it’s a big problem for Tonali, while Politano feels quite well,

”

Roberto Mancini

said at a press conference.

The Napoli winger had to be sent off after meeting the back of the net against Milan, but according to Marco Domenichini, Luciano Spalletti’s assistant, he might return to action for Italy at Coverciano.

Italy will lock horns with England on Friday and then go against Hungary on Monday September 26.

“Results will be important. Anything can still happen in the group. We must try to win both games and win the group. I’ve called experienced and young players,

” said the CT.

“Leonardo Spinazzola called me to say that he doesn’t feel too well, he needs to train for two weeks, so I didn’t call him up. I’ve left many good players at home, but it was the right thing to do because they are playing many matches.”

Among the strikers playing in the squad are Ciro Immobile, Scamacca and Giacomo Raspadori, but the national team coach has little options when it comes to up front. Many Serie A giants, on the other hand, have foreign centre-forwards.

“Top teams have had foreign strikers for some time now,”

he said.

“The only Italian up there is Immobile. Hopefully, we’ll soon see two or three strikers who can be the national team’s future. It’s not a small problem.

“We’ll play against a strong team physically [England]. Scamacca joined a difficult league and it will take some time to understand English football. He will take four or five months to settle in, but time is by his side.”

The 23-year-old made a move to

in the summer and has met the back of the net three times in eight games. In June, Italy were defeated at the hands of Germany in their final Nations League game of that month.

“It’s never pleasant to lose 5-2, but even in that game, I saw positive things,”

Mancini claimed.

“Sometimes you need these kinds of games to improve. It was the fifth consecutive game at the end of the season. Young players have earned experience and we’ve done well so far, earning five points.”

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