Medical tests allowed Ciro Immobile to return to the Italy squad after his recent injury but Claudio Lotito stopped the Lazio star from making the trip to Hungary.
The 32-year-old Italian forward was one of three Biancocelesti players called up by Roberto Mancini for the Azzurri’s two Nations League games against England and Hungary, but he was forced to sit out the 1-0 win over the Three Lions due to a muscle issue.
Immobile was cleared of injury in medical tests this morning but he won’t be joining the squad regardless.
As reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Immobile was ready to join the Italy squad for their trip to Hungary but Lotito personally intervened to stop the Lazio striker from taking part, requesting that he return to Rome instead.
The Biancocelesti president was concerned that the 32-year-old’s recovery was being rushed in order to force his return for the match, so he recalled him to Rome in order to avoid exacerbating the injury.
Perhaps Lotito did not appreciate Mancini questioning Zaccagni’s commitment to the national team, calling him out for taking time to heal from an injury.