Italy’s victory over Belgium (0-1) that qualified the ‘Azzurra’ for the quarterfinals of the Nations League featured an exceptional protagonist: Sandro Tonali (Lodi, 5-8-2000).
The Italian international is beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel… just one year after he was punished with 10 months of disqualification and another eight of “alternative penalties” for the ‘Betting Case’. “I bet against Milan,” the former Milan player admitted, who was left without the European Championship as a result of the sanction.
“Before the suspension I was two different people. I had a life at home and another on the training ground. Now it’s different. I’m Sandro, just Sandro,” the Newcastle midfielder confessed to ‘Sky’.
“Now, finally, I feel good”
Tonali, signed in exchange for 70 million euros in 2023, reappeared on August 28, in the League Cup, against Nottingham Forest: “I missed football a lot. The return was incredible. Now, finally, I feel well. It was important for me to play again.”
He returned with Newcastle and, immediately, returned with Italy: he is a permanent fixture for Luciano Spalletti. He re-debuted, as a starter and with an assist, in the victory against France (1-3) and, since then, he has only stopped playing the last 10 minutes in the 2-2 draw against Belgium. He played the full game in the two victories against Israel (1-2 and 4-1) and has repeated, with a goal included in the ‘return’ against Belgium (0-1).
The former Brescia player only had to push a cross from Di Lorenzo into the goalmouth… but his goal is full of symbolism for many reasons. It is the first he has scored in 460 days – since he scored against Aston Villa (5-1) in his Premier debut on August 12, 2023 – and it is also the first he has achieved after 20 caps for Italy.
“It’s nice to score my first goal with the ‘Nazionale’, but it’s even nicer to win like this: we knew how to suffer. I’m anxious, like everyone, for the next game to arrive,” admitted Tonali, who made his debut under Roberto Mancini a long time ago. five years, on October 15, 2019.
He was left out, however, of the Italy that won Euro 2021. “I had never fully fit into the national team, I always had ups and downs. Now I think it’s different. I knew it wouldn’t be easy to return, but I think I’ve done it right. the same way. Returning to the ‘Azzurra’ was a great goal for me,” he underlines.
I knew it wouldn’t be easy to come back, but I think I’ve done it the same way. Returning to the ‘Azzurra’ was a great goal for me
Sandro Tonali
The Italian paid for his mistakes and has redeemed himself with the best ‘therapy’: against the game, good game. And goals. There is no better medicine. Tonali smiles and so does football.
