Riccardo Calafiori has moved quickly to calm any injury concerns, insisting he is ready to play in Italy’s World Cup play off semi final against Northern Ireland.
Riccardo Calafiori hopes to be fit to feature for Italy in their play-off against Northern Ireland after Azzurri boss Gennaro Gattuso said he “felt a little discomfort” following Sunday’s League Cup final.
“I am fine,” the Arsenal defender told a press conference on Tuesday.
“We will see how it goes on the pitch today [in training], but I am fine.”
Italy face Northern Ireland on Thursday in a World Cup play off semi-final in Bergamo, with the winners going on to meet Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina for a place at this summer’s tournament.
The match will take place at Atalanta’s New Balance Arena, kicking off at 19:45 GMT, and Italy, who have missed the last two World Cups, are strong favourites given their deeper squad and home advantage.
About the game, Calafiori added, “I always like to think positively because when you think positively about achieving things, you end up getting them.
“There’s pressure, there’s no point in trying to avoid it. We all know how important it is for us to qualify for this World Cup. We try not to think about it but the game is just two days away.
“You can’t predict how the match will end.
“The message we want to send is to all stick together and be positive. In such important matches, tactical and technical skill count only up to a certain point; unity and mentality are more important. Why should we make life difficult for ourselves?
“The other side of the coin is that it might go badly, but we want to think positively, because this week can bring happiness and send us to the World Cup in America, that’s the only thing I think about.
“It’s all about how you look at this game. Evidently, it’s a responsibility. There are millions of people watching us, but I see it as an opportunity. This is something we’ve been dreaming of since we were kids. I can’t wait to play this game.”
Calafiori isn’t the only Arsenal player involved in this week’s qualifiers, with Viktor Gyokeres taking part with Sweden, and Christian Norgaard called up by Denmark.
Sweden will face Ukraine and then potentially Poland or Albania, whilst Denmark play North Macedonia and then potentially the Czech Republic or the Republic of Ireland.