Lorenzo Pellegrini injured for Italy on the eve of Euro 2020

Lorenzo Pellegrini was struggling with his fitness prior to the tournament but earned a place in Roberto Mancini’s 26-man squad in the hope that he will be fit in time.

However, he suffered an injury in training on Wednesday which has essentially ruled him out of the tournament.

Italy has asked permission from UEFA to replace the injured Lorenzo Pellegrini with Fiorentina’s Gaetano Castrovilli after the Roma midfielder picked up an injury on Wednesday.

“The FIGC has submitted a request to UEFA surrounding the possibility of replacing Lorenzo Pellegrini, who, in training yesterday, picked up an injury,” read a FIGC statement.

“He was taken for a scan this morning and will nonetheless remain part of the group, which will travel to Rome this morning. In anticipation of an answer from UEFA, Gaetano Castrovilli will join up with the group in Rome.”

Italy have been on fire recently and are one of the few teams who have benefitted massively from the postponement of the tournament. They were completely out of sorts this time last year but have managed to build a young and exciting team in the last 12 months.

Italy’s midfield is their most exciting asset. Marco Verratti will be partnered by Jorginho and Nicolo Barella. They also have some young options like Manuel Locatelli and Bryan Cristante. Lorenzo Pellegrini was one of the players who had a chance of featuring in the playing 11 but his injury has prevented him from doing so.

Italy have won their last 7 matches with a score line of 21-0 which just goes to show that they cannot be taken lightly by any means. In Immobile, they have one of the most prolific strikers in the last few seasons across Europe and he will be supported by Insigne and Chiesa.

Italy will face Turkey in the opening fixture of the tournament tonight. While Turkey are another team labelled as “dark horses”, Italy will start the game as favourites. They will also face Switzerland and Wales in the group stage.