Alessandro Bastoni, the 26-year-old Inter Milan center-back, looks likely to be available for Italy's playoff against Northern Ireland after recovering from a minor knee problem. The injury came in the Milan derby following a collision with Adrien Rabiot, and it kept Bastoni out of two recent Serie A matches.
Bastoni pushing to be involved
Reports say the defender has been making steady progress and is now in contention for the crucial World Cup playoff tie at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo. It is a welcome development for Italy and for coach Gennaro Gattuso, who values Bastoni’s defensive presence.
What happened and what he missed
- Injury: Knee knock suffered in the Milan derby after a collision with Adrien Rabiot.
- Matches missed: Sat out Inter’s draws with Fiorentina and Atalanta.
- Temporary replacement: Carlos Augusto filled in at center-back while Bastoni was absent.
Why this matters
Italy need to win the playoff to keep their hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup alive. The national team has not qualified for the last two editions of the World Cup, so there is real pressure on the squad to end that run. Even with Bastoni nearing fitness, Italy cannot take Northern Ireland lightly ahead of the match in Bergamo.
In short, Bastoni’s likely return is a boost, but the Azzurri still face a tough, high-stakes test on Thursday.
