The AC Milan midfielder is on the blue list for commitments in the Nations League, but the U21 team would also have gladly welcomed him to the European Championship. Club Italia will avoid forcing
Everyone wants Sandro Tonali. Milan fans don’t worry: these are not super offers from top clubs (they could remain calm in this case too: Sandro is one of them, the captain of the future). Two national teams are coming forward, with a nuance of difference: coach Mancini’s Azzurrini and Under 21’s Azzurrini. Tonali is in the list of the A national team which will be involved in the semi-final of the Nations League against Spain, 15 June, and in the final (or final) scheduled three days later. The program foresees the meeting in Rome on the evening of Sunday 4th or at the latest Monday 5th, mini retreat in Sardinia, return to Coverciano and then the departure for Holland, site of the double challenge. Sandro will be there: the last effort of an intense season. Tonali is found so far in 32 league tables, for a total of 2,537 minutes on the pitch. And he didn’t end there. He also played 12 Champions League games: another 1,054 minutes of play. He fought for 90 ‘in the Supercoppa Italiana derby last January and even 120’ in the second round of the Italian Cup against Turin (the only one among the big Rossoneri, with Tomori). He will then want to increase the account in blue: so far 14 appearances, still looking for the first goal. Well-deserved holidays will therefore follow before the new Rossoneri meeting, with the forecast of a 2023-’24 equally full of commitments.
European and Paris dream…
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The Under 21 team would have gladly welcomed him to try and win the title of European champions together, or at least to go as far as the semi-final of the tournament that will be played between Romania and Georgia: finishing in the top four is the minimum goal to ensure qualification for the 2024 Summer Olympics. Tonali would have answered the call just as willingly and in fact there were long days of reflection: he began the two-year period as captain and would have been more than happy to participate in the Paris Games. For the Under 21 team he would have given up on enjoying several days of relaxation, arriving in the running: the Azzurrini will play the first match of the group against France on June 22nd, to repeat on the 25th and 28th against Switzerland and Norway. Possible quarterfinals, semifinals and final scheduled from 1st to 8th July. We are already at the start of the new AC Milan season (last year we met at Milanello on 4 July): for this reason the representatives of the Federation had also probed the availability of the Rossoneri club. It would have been better for the company if one commitment excluded the other. An obvious advantage for Pioli: he will be able to have his number eight back for the rally or immediately after, fresh and rested. Club Italia will avoid forcing it also in order not to expose the player to risks due to exhausting employment. Sandro will wear blue with Mancini. For the Azzurrini Under 21s he will be a fan, but only on TV.
24 maggio – 11:58
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