Sandro Tonali warning sounded by Italian media | OneFootball

A successful October for Sandro Tonali and Italy.

Two games, two wins and six goals scored by the World Cup hopefuls.

Saturday had seen Sandro Tonali with a masterful man of the match display as Italy won 3-1 away to Estonia, the Newcastle United midfielder completing the entire game.

Last (Tuesday) night it was a home win over Israel, a 3-0 victory that keeps alive Italy’s hopes of overtaking Norway in the final two rounds of World Cup qualifying group matches in November.

Retegui scoring twice and in added time Mancini adding the third.

Sandro Tonali played his part, not subbed off until the 93rd minute after picking up a late booking in the 88th minute.

However, the Newcastle United star didn’t reach the heights of Saturday’s performance and the Italian media sounding a warning after last night’s match.

Football Italia giving Sandro Tonali a rating of only 6 out of 10 for his performance against Israel and adding…

‘The Newcastle star, one of the best Italy players under Gattuso, wasn’t as sharp as usual. Surely a bit tired, having already made 13 appearances this season.’

Sandro Tonali has started all four of Italy’s World Cup qualifiers in September and October, as well as all seven of Newcastle’s Premier League games and the two Champions League matches. The thing is as well, he is rarely ever subbed off in games either, the only shift he has had off so far this season was the Carabao Cup win over Bradford.

This is where it gets really tough for Eddie Howe when it comes to balancing things. The daft stop-start club fixture schedule sees this latest international fortnight followed by seven Newcastle United matches in a three week period, before Sandro Tonali then has two more must win final World Cup group qualifiers away to Moldova and finally at home to Norway.

This tight NUFC schedule kicks off on Saturday again with a Premier League game away at Brighton and then only three days later it is home to Benfica in the Champions League.

What Eddie Howe now does with his players, especially those playing for their countries as well as United, is a tough decision. You want your best players on the pitch as much as possible but at the same time not expose them to a significantly higher risk of injury by overplaying them…

This is the October 2025 international schedule for Newcastle United players:

Thursday 9 October

England 3 Wales 0

Anthony Gordon with an excellent first half, as did most of his teammates. England roared into a 3-0 lead after only 20 minutes and then as the game went on, they coasted to victory and countless subs made. Gordon the only one of the front six to play the full game, whilst Dan Burn an unused sub.

Friday 10 October

South Korea 0 Brazil 5

A world class assist from Bruno Guimaraes setting up Estevao to score the opener in this friendly. Joelinton remaining on the bench for the entirety of the game, Bruno subbed off on 79 minutes.

Germany 4  Luxembourg 0

An excellent team performance with Nick Woltemade leading the line for Germany.

The Newcastle United striker didn’t score himself but led the line so well, with link up play and his all round game helping to deliver a commanding victory in this World Cup group qualifier.

Sweden 0 Switzerland 2

Newcastle’s Anthony Elanga watching on from the bench as this must win World Cup group qualifier ended in defeat.

Sweden standing next to no chance now of appearing at the 2026 finals.

With three group games still left to play, Sweden eight points behind Switzerland.

Saturday 11 October

Estonia 1 Italy 3

Sandro Tonali bossing this World Cup group qualifier, rated man of the match across the Italian media and Football Italia perfectly summing up his brilliant performance…

‘Italy had a few strong performers tonight but the Newcastle United man was in a league of his own today. Harking back to the iconic Italian centre-mids of yore, the 25-year-old showed his class this evening.’

Monday 13 October

Northern Ireland 0 Germany 1

What a moment for Nick Woltemade to get his first goal for Germany in this World Cup group qualifier. The only goal of the game as the Newcastle United striker rises highest to head (‘slight’ suspicion it came off his shoulder…) home in the 31st minute. A tough night in Belfast, a real battle, but Germany now in such a strong position top of their group with only two games to play, only the group winners will automatically qualify for the 2026 finals. Nick Woltemade putting in a 92 minute shift and only subbed off in the dying seconds.

Sweden 0 Kosovo 1

An embarrassing home defeat for Sweden and left bottom of the table with one point after four games and only two matches left to play. Anthony Elanga named on the bench for this World Cup group qualifier and watched on as Sweden trailed 1-0 at half-time, though it could have been 2-0 as Kosovo also hit the post. Elanga one of three subs made at the break and he sparked Sweden belatedly into life, putting a series of quality crosses in but Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak wasting chance after chance.

Tuesday 14 October

Japan 3 Brazil 2

A brilliant pass from Bruno Guimaraes set up the opening goal but somehow Brazil ending up losing this friendly after leading 2-0. Bruno replaced by NUFC teammate Joelinton on 57 minutes as part of a triple substitution when Brazil 2-1 up. A defensive nightmare from those at the back for all three Japan goals. Joelinton almost rescuing a draw in the final seconds but his effort from outside the box saved in the top corner.

Latvia 0 England 5

Anthony Gordon fired England into the 2026 World Cup finals, scoring the opening goal in this demolition job that guarantees England top their group with two games still to play. England the first European side to qualify for the 2026 finals. Kane got the second and third goals before half-time with an own goal and a late one from Eze completing the scoring. Rashford replaced Gordon with 20 minutes to go and at the same time Stones went off and Dan Burn picked up another cap.