Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori has left the national team camp after suffering a knee injury. He sustained the injury during Italy’s 2-1 loss to Germany on Thursday night.

The national team’s medical staff suspects damage to the collateral ligament. They believe the injury falls between a grade one and two severity.

As a result, Calafiori will return to London for further evaluation. Arsenal’s medical team will conduct additional tests to confirm the full extent of the injury.

Sports journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed the development on Friday. He shared the news via his verified X account, formerly known as Twitter.

Romano wrote that Calafiori left the Italian squad with immediate effect. He also noted the suspected ligament damage and stated that Arsenal’s doctors will finalize the assessment.

The Match Incident and Visible Discomfort

During the match against Germany, Calafiori appeared solid in defense. However, late in the game, he slipped awkwardly while trying to challenge an opponent.

Although he finished the match, cameras captured him limping afterward. His visible discomfort sparked concern among fans and coaching staff.

Head coach Luciano Spalletti addressed the incident in the post-match briefing. He explained that the team preferred to act cautiously and allow Arsenal to manage the injury diagnosis.

Potential Recovery Timeline and Medical Insights

Medical experts say a grade one or two collateral ligament injury may require several weeks of rest. Grade one could take two to three weeks, while grade two might extend the recovery to six or more.

Such injuries usually heal with rest, physiotherapy, and knee stabilization using braces. However, if the ligament is more severely damaged, surgery may become necessary.

Calafiori’s final recovery timeline will depend on Arsenal’s evaluation. Until then, he will miss Italy’s remaining international fixtures.

Arsenal Faces Fixture Uncertainty

Calafiori’s absence arrives at a critical time for Arsenal. The team is preparing for high-stakes matches in both the Premier League and Champions League.

Arsenal’s upcoming quarter-final clash with Real Madrid is just weeks away. If Calafiori’s injury proves serious, he could miss that tie.

Since joining Arsenal, Calafiori has already faced injury challenges. This latest setback now raises concerns about his long-term fitness.

Italy’s Defensive Reshuffle Underway

Without Calafiori, Italy must reshape its backline. Potential replacements include Alessandro Buongiorno and Alessandro Bastoni.

Both defenders have trained actively and remain on standby. They are expected to step into the starting lineup if necessary.

Meanwhile, the Italian Football Federation has not yet announced if they will call up a replacement for Calafiori.

Conclusion

Riccardo Calafiori’s knee injury adds pressure to both Italy and Arsenal. As everyone awaits a final medical report, both teams must adapt and plan accordingly.

Calafiori, known for his resilience and work ethic, will hope for a swift recovery. Until then, fans, teammates, and coaching staff will keep their fingers crossed.

His return to full fitness remains the top priority, especially with crucial fixtures ahead.