logo
Italy striker Kean ruled out of World Cup qualifiers

Italy striker Kean ruled out of World Cup qualifiers

Reuters2 days ago

June 5 (Reuters) - Italy manager Luciano Spalletti will have to plan for his side's opening World Cup qualifiers without Moise Kean after the striker left the squad's training camp due to a thigh injury on Thursday.
Kean has had the best season of his career, scoring 19 Serie A goals for Fiorentina having failed to find the net once at Juventus in the previous campaign.
The 25-year-old started both legs of Italy's Nations League quarter-final against Germany in March and scored twice. Mateo Retegui, last season's top scorer in Serie A, is expected to replace him in the team.
Italy, who have failed to qualify for the last two World Cups, begin their Group I qualifying campaign away to Norway on Friday, before hosting Moldova on Monday.
Spalletti has also lost midfielder Manuel Locatelli and defender Matteo Gabbia to injury, and Inter Milan defender Francesco Acerbi withdrew from the squad on Sunday.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Confidence is growing within Republic of Ireland squad
Confidence is growing within Republic of Ireland squad

South Wales Argus

timean hour ago

  • South Wales Argus

Confidence is growing within Republic of Ireland squad

Kasey McAteer marked his first start for the Irish by giving them the lead in the first half but Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr struck with nine minutes remaining as it finished honours even. Hallgrimsson, though, took heart from how his side carried out his vision to largely stifle a Senegal side who are now 21 matches unbeaten and ranked 19th in the FIFA world rankings. A strong performance from the boys but tonight's friendly ends in a draw 🤝 — Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) June 6, 2025 That is 41 places higher than the Republic's current position, having been as high as 28th in October 2019, but Hallgrimsson senses this is a side on the up after making it three games without a defeat. 'There were times where we defended without the ball, we made them look quite average,' Hallgrimsson said. 'But I'm mostly happy that they didn't create a lot of goalscoring chances. 'Let's be honest, we're not one of the best teams in the world and this is how we need to play against teams that will dominate possession. 'We need to wait for our chances and take them when they come. In this area, confidence is growing. 'We will need to be patient, these steps are taken small steps at a time but this was really pleasing because if we wouldn't have done this as well as we did, we would have suffered against this team.' Kasey McAteer marked his first international start with a goal (Evan Treacy/PA) The Republic travel to Luxembourg on Tuesday in their final outing before beginning their qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup, with Portugal, Hungry and Armenia their opponents. Hallgrimsson was especially pleased with the display of Leicester's McAteer, who scored his first goal for the Irish in the 21st minute when firing in the rebound after his initial header had been kept out. 'If you've watched Kasey, he got a run for Leicester at the end of the season so you can see his club progress and he brought that into the national team,' Hallgrimsson said. 'That's always the answer you would like to have when you try out new players. 'It was a really good first start for him. He's a confident player on the ball, he has speed, good dribbling technique and if we can isolate him going one v one, that is his strength. Ismaila Sarr (centre) levelled for Senegal (Evan Treacy/PA) 'He's just a clever footballer with a good football brain; he knows where to pass the ball and not to pass the ball, etc.' A Senegal side without star names such as Sadio Mane and Kalidou Koulibaly levelled from close range through Sarr, with Hallgrimsson lamenting the absence of VAR as he felt the FA Cup winner was offside. 'VAR probably would have given it offside but we knew VAR was not in-house so we cannot complain,' the Icelander added. 'I think the referees did a good job, there was a really good flow in the game, so I was happy.'

Confidence is growing within Republic of Ireland squad
Confidence is growing within Republic of Ireland squad

Powys County Times

timean hour ago

  • Powys County Times

Confidence is growing within Republic of Ireland squad

Republic of Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson believes 'confidence is growing' within his side after a 1-1 draw against Senegal at the Aviva Stadium. Kasey McAteer marked his first start for the Irish by giving them the lead in the first half but Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr struck with nine minutes remaining as it finished honours even. Hallgrimsson, though, took heart from how his side carried out his vision to largely stifle a Senegal side who are now 21 matches unbeaten and ranked 19th in the FIFA world rankings. A strong performance from the boys but tonight's friendly ends in a draw 🤝 — Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) June 6, 2025 That is 41 places higher than the Republic's current position, having been as high as 28th in October 2019, but Hallgrimsson senses this is a side on the up after making it three games without a defeat. 'There were times where we defended without the ball, we made them look quite average,' Hallgrimsson said. 'But I'm mostly happy that they didn't create a lot of goalscoring chances. 'Let's be honest, we're not one of the best teams in the world and this is how we need to play against teams that will dominate possession. 'We need to wait for our chances and take them when they come. In this area, confidence is growing. 'We will need to be patient, these steps are taken small steps at a time but this was really pleasing because if we wouldn't have done this as well as we did, we would have suffered against this team.' The Republic travel to Luxembourg on Tuesday in their final outing before beginning their qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup, with Portugal, Hungry and Armenia their opponents. Hallgrimsson was especially pleased with the display of Leicester's McAteer, who scored his first goal for the Irish in the 21st minute when firing in the rebound after his initial header had been kept out. 'If you've watched Kasey, he got a run for Leicester at the end of the season so you can see his club progress and he brought that into the national team,' Hallgrimsson said. 'That's always the answer you would like to have when you try out new players. 'It was a really good first start for him. He's a confident player on the ball, he has speed, good dribbling technique and if we can isolate him going one v one, that is his strength. 'He's just a clever footballer with a good football brain; he knows where to pass the ball and not to pass the ball, etc.' A Senegal side without star names such as Sadio Mane and Kalidou Koulibaly levelled from close range through Sarr, with Hallgrimsson lamenting the absence of VAR as he felt the FA Cup winner was offside. 'VAR probably would have given it offside but we knew VAR was not in-house so we cannot complain,' the Icelander added. 'I think the referees did a good job, there was a really good flow in the game, so I was happy.'

Craig Bellamy promises Wales will not sit back and defend against Belgium
Craig Bellamy promises Wales will not sit back and defend against Belgium

Rhyl Journal

time2 hours ago

  • Rhyl Journal

Craig Bellamy promises Wales will not sit back and defend against Belgium

Wales coasted to a 3-0 win over Liechtenstein, the world's 205th ranked team, as second-half goals from Harry Wilson and Kieffer Moore added to Joe Rodon's 39th-minute opener. It was defender Rodon's first international goal and Wales had complete domination of a one-sided contest with 27 goal attempts to zero. Hapus iawn 😁 — Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (@Cymru) June 6, 2025 Wales face a far tougher challenge in Brussels, although the Dragons did have the bonus of Belgium being held 1-1 in North Macedonia on Friday night, thanks to a late home equaliser. Bellamy said: 'We go there and I'm not camping. I'm not sitting back. It's not in my make-up. I can't do it, I don't want to do it. 'I've got a little bit more in my head, but I'm really excited about it. I'll try and absorb this one but then, yeah, get ready for that.' Victory took Wales to the top of their World Cup qualifying section with seven points from three games – but Bellamy could not resist a dig at the Welsh ball boys on the perimeter of the pitch. 'There is a lot I liked,' said Bellamy. 'I'd really like us to make this six, seven, eight. That's what we need to push. 'These games have never been easy four our nation. We have a proven record of that. 'The mentality of the players was really good. Did we expect to win? Of course we did. Did we expect such a slow game? 'I felt our ball boys could have been a bit quicker. We are at home so we have a choice in that as well. 'I'm going to be looking for them in a bit – I'm not. I'm joking!' Victory came at a price as Neco Williams, one of Wales' best performers since Bellamy took charge last summer, was forced off midway through the first half with a nasty-looking injury. The Nottingham Forest full-back, in trying to cross on the byline midway through the first half, landed awkwardly and was in obvious pain before leaving the field on a stretcher. Williams appears a serious doubt for Monday's clash with Belgium. 'Give us a few hours,' said Bellamy. 'We just don't know. We'll find out tomorrow morning (Saturday). 'The medical staff will be racing with it, we'll make sure he's looked after. 'We'll find more and relay that message as soon as we know.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store