Spalletti ‘can exclude’ Zaniolo from EURO 2024 squad

Nicolò Zaniolo is out of EURO 2024, confirmed Italy coach Luciano Spalletti today. ‘I would exclude the possibility’ of him making it.

The Aston Villa forward lasted just over 15 minutes against Liverpool as a substitute on Monday evening and was diagnosed with a microfracture in his foot.

There were reports the injury was so serious that it would rule him out of the tournament, which runs in Germany from June 14 to July 14.

Now that has been confirmed by Azzurri boss Spalletti, who was attending the Sport Human Factor event in Rome.

“I spoke to Zaniolo. It is very unlikely he could recover in time, in fact I would exclude that possibility entirely,” explained the coach.

Zaniolo unlucky with injuries

It is another blow for Zaniolo, who had already been forced to miss Italy’s victorious EURO 2020 campaign due to injury.

He is owned by Galatasaray and spent this season on loan at Aston Villa, but barely made an impact with three goals in 39 competitive appearances.

The 24-year-old mainly made his mark on the disciplinary record with 12 yellow cards.