Italian media react after Sandro Tonali’s ‘madman’ performance for his country against Belgium
James Rutherford
3 – 4 minutes
Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali started Italy’s 2-2 draw with Belgium on Thursday night.
The 24-year-old was one of various Newcastle United players to represent their countries, with Anthony Gordon and Odysseas Vlachodimos starting as Greece beat England 2-1 at Wembley.
Elsewhere, Miguel Almiron started Paraguay’s 0-0 draw with Ecuador, while Bruno Guimaraes was part of a Brazil team that beat Chile 2-1. The Newcastle United captain started on the bench but came on at half-time, with the Brazilian media praising Bruno for his impact.
But while Bruno was benched, his midfield partner got another 80 minutes in the tank for Italy.
Sandro Tonali starts as Italy draw with Belgium
Sandro Tonali of Italy during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A Group A2 match between Italy and Belgium at Stadio Olimpico on October 10, 2…
Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images
For the third consecutive international game, Sandro Tonali started for Italy.
They took on Belgium in the Nations League, and looked to be on course for another impressive victory after beating France during the previous international break.
Luciano Spalletti’s side had gone 2-0 up at the Stadio Olimpico, but Lorenzo Pellegrini’s 40th minute red card changed everything.
From that moment, Belgium battled back, with Maxim De Cuyper and Leandro Trossard scoring to level the game.
During Italy’s previous two games, Tonali played every minute. That was not the case on Thursday night, with the Newcastle midfielder substituted in the 80th minute. He was replaced by Niccolo Pisilli, as Italy held on for a point.
While he did not complete 90 minutes, the Italian media were once again happy with what they saw from Tonali. He was praised for his running, with Tonali continuing to show no signs of rustiness following his 10-month suspension.
Sky Italia gave him a rating of six, describing Tonali as Italy’s ‘conductor’.
On Tonali, they wrote: “First half dedicated to construction, second to buffering. Useful in both phases. The numerical inferiority wears him down until the substitution. Constructor.”
Elsewhere, Sport Mediaset gave him a score of 6.5/10. That rating was only bettered by Andrea Cambiasso and Mateo Retegui, who got 7/10s after their goals.
On Tonali, they wrote: “The desire to break the world after a difficult period does not abandon him and with the blue on he runs like a madman all over the field, combining a physicality grown in the Premier League with the usual technique. Always helps Di Lorenzo in the doubling to Doku.”
What is next for Sandro Tonali and Italy
Italy are next in action on Monday night. They face Israel at home in the Nations League.
Given the fact that he has started three games in a row for his country, it feels likely that Tonali will make it four at the beginning of next week.
Toon officials will be keeping a close eye on him, as Newcastle are eager to ensure that Tonali is not burnt out so soon after his comeback from suspension.
After the international break, Newcastle face Brighton at St James’ Park on October 19th. Tonali will hope to start that match too, having been in the Magpies’ Premier League starting XI for the past two games.
There will be at least one change to Eddie Howe’s side, with Kieran Trippier set to miss Newcastle vs Brighton with a hamstring injury.
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