How Luciano Spalletti and Italian media reacted after Arsenal star Riccardo Calafiori suffered knee issue in loss to Germany

03/20/2025 06:20 PM

Arsenal star Riccardo Calafiori was in action for Italy in Thursday evening’s UEFA Nations League loss to Germany.

However, in the latter stages of the match, Calafiori was forced to come off for treatment after suffering what appeared to be a knee issue.

In the 92nd minute, the Arsenal star slipped awkwardly whilst tracking back and immediately held his left knee before going to the sidelines for treatment.

Calafiori was not substituted, as Luciano Spalletti had already used up all his substitutions, but the full-time whistle went not long after.

The Arsenal star’s slip and subsequent issue with his knee will be cause for concern, with Italian media commenting on it after the game.

What was said about Riccardo Calafiori knee issue

Spalletti, the Italy head coach, wasn’t able to provide much information about Calafiori’s knee issue.

Speaking after the final whistle on Rai, Spalletti said: “I still don’t know anything about Calafiori, let’s see.”

This suggests that the Italian medical team will conduct tests on the Arsenal star to determine the severity of the issue.

However, Italian media outlet Pazzi Di Fanta noted how Calafiori hurt his left knee, which has given him problems earlier in his career.

‘The instrumental tests scheduled for the next few hours will clarify the situation, allowing us to accurately assess the severity of the physical problem,’ they wrote.

‘Recovery times will be estimated in the short term but they are certainly not great news for the national team and for Arsenal.

‘The former Bologna centre-back is one of Spalletti’s key players and his starting spot at San Siro proves it.

‘The issue must be evaluated, as confirmed by the former Napoli coach. Calafiori came out on his own two feet and that’s already a sign.

‘Since it’s his left knee, we’ll be cautious because the twisting was totally unnatural.’