Raspadori sidelined by hamstring strain, to miss Dortmund play-off, Italy doubt | OneFootball

Giacomo Raspadori has suffered a first-degree hamstring strain sustained late in Atalanta’s match against Lazio, ruling him out of the Champions League play-off with Borussia Dortmund and casting doubt over his Italy involvement.

According to SportMediaset, the forward is expected to be sidelined for at least three weeks.

Head coach Raffaele Palladino, already without Charles De Ketelaere, has ruled him out of both legs of the Dortmund play-off, first in Germany on February 17 then the return in Bergamo on February 25.

He is also set to miss Atalanta’s trip to Naples and the Coppa Italia semi-final first leg against Lazio on March 4.

Beyond club duty, his availability for Italy is uncertain, with the World Cup play-off semi-final against Northern Ireland scheduled for March 26 in Bergamo.

The absence of one of Atalanta and Italy’s most versatile forwards means Palladino and the national team coach must reconsider their attacking options. Recovery will be monitored over the next three weeks, and the timing could affect squad selection for the play-offs.

Source: Football Italia