Rehabilitation update: Italy to be without Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s support for vital Bosnia clash

While Italy aim for a first World Cup qualification since 2014, they’ll again have to do so without Napoli’s Giovanni Di Lorenzo.

Following a 2-0 dispatch of Northern Ireland in the semi-finals, the Azzurri will still be missing the Partonepei captain for the all-important match with Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Not called up due to a knee injury which has kept him out of action since the end of January, the Napoli man was nevertheless alongside fellow vacant national teammates Mattia Zaccagni and Guglielmo Vicario to watch from the stands.

Di Lorenzo’s agent, Mario Giuffredi, spoke to Stile TV to confirm that his client will also be missing the away match in Zenica due to continued rehabilitation.

“I don’t think he will go to Bosnia, because he is undergoing treatment for the injury. He made a great sacrifice to be in Bergamo on Thursday. He left the afternoon after the treatment, and the next morning at six, he returned to Naples.”

Regarding his recovery time, Giuffredi added, “He’s not in a condition to skip any days of therapy today because he’s nearing recovery. Regarding his return, my hope is that the last week of April will be the right one to see him back on the pitch.”

It seems there’s no chance of him playing in the crunch match for second place against AC Milan, which will be played on Easter Monday. Clashes with Parma and Lazio follow, but he will most likely be available for the season finale against Cremonese.