Italy may lack Immobile in World Cup qualifiers after Lazio forward injured

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - Italian forward Ciro Immobile left the national team camp Tuesday due to a muscle injury, days before key 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Switzerland and Northern Ireland.

The Italian national team said in a statement that Immobile withdrew from the squad after medical tests had shown a pain affecting the soleus muscle, or calf, of the 31-year-old’s left leg that dated back to the previous championship match.

It added that Sassuolo forward Gianluca Scamacca was called for national duty to replace Lazio regular Immobile.

Immobile, who netted 161 goals to be the all-time top scorer for Lazio, has been prolific in the 2021-22 football season, scoring 11 goals in 15 appearances for his club.

This summer, he helped Italy win the UEFA EURO 2020 title.

Italy and Switzerland are in a relentless competition at the top of the World Cup qualifying Group C.

Both teams have collected 14 points in six matches as they are fighting for a World Cup ticket.

Italy, who are now leading the group on goal difference, will play against second-place Switzerland on Friday in Rome, a critical clash for both sides.

Italy will then take on Northern Ireland in Belfast on Nov. 15 to finish the group phase.

On the same day, Switzerland will host Bulgaria in Lucerne.

Only the group winners will automatically qualify for the 2022 World Cup. The runners-up will face the playoff stage to fight for limited tickets for Qatar 2022.