Young Lazio goalkeeper Edoardo Motta has picked up a physical problem that forced him to cut his time with Italy U21 short and return to Formello.
Edoardo Motta Returns to Lazio Carrying an Injury
The 21-year-old was called up for the Azzurrini’s two U21 European Championship qualifiers. The first contest took place on Thursday at the Stadio Carlo Castellani in Empoli and ended with a comfortable 4-0 win for Italy U21 over North Macedonia. However, Motta didn’t take part in the action, and wasn’t even on the bench.
On Friday, the Italian national team announced through a statement (via La Lazio Siamo Noi) that the Lazio goalkeeper was already struggling with an issue since the start of the camp, so he won’t take part in the action against Sweden U21.
It is hereby announced that, due to the worsening of pre-existing conditions, Edoardo Motta (Lazio) and Antonio Raimondo (Frosinone) have been excluded from the squad and will return to their respective clubs today.
Spezia goalkeeper Diego Mascardi and Juve Stabia striker Alvin Okoro (originally selected for today’s Under-20 Italy friendly against England in Riano) have also been called up.
Lazio Facing Ravaging Goalkeeper Crisis
At this stage, the severity of the injury remains uncertain, but Lazio fans everywhere will collectively hold their breath while awaiting the upcoming updates, as the club is already without first-choice goalkeeper Ivan Provedel. The 31-year-old underwent a shoulder operation earlier this month, putting his season to a premature end.
With Provedel out of action, Motta filled in admirably for his more experienced compatriot. The January signing helped Lazio put together a three-match winning streak in his first three appearances for the club, while also registering back-to-back clean sheets against AC Milan and Bologna.
Alessio Furlanetto: The Emergency Option
If Motta’s absence is to be confirmed, Maurizio Sarri will have no option but to resort to third-choice cutodian, Alessio Furlanetto. The 24-year-old is a youth product of Lazio, but has yet to make an appearance for the first team.
Club, player manager, Sarri and the player itself. Are they all gone insane?
Coppa Italia and competition is still going. Yes Lazio isn’t playing for anything any longer in Serie A. But this is a massive step for Motta, why on living earth go with -21 Italy squad.
Are they saying that whatever pre-existing issue Motta had, worsened in the U21 preparations/training? If yes, you are spot on! why on earth was he allowed to go??? If not, why did they allow him to train at all?
Bring back mandas
Injuries might happen, that’s normal part of football life. Whether it’s match related, or during training or even at home. No club can deny their player to represent NT! National team comes first over the club. Those are FIFA rules. AFCON is played during active season and clubs HAVE TO release their players. If player is slightly injured but wants to represent it is up to NT doctor staff to evaluate the situation. If player gets injured during NT break, clubs are compensated. There is FIFA insurance…
Problem here is Lazio hierarchy! Every NORMAL football club have 2 (TWO!) solid shot-stoppers like Provedel – Mandas, EXACTLY for this kind of situations! The 3rd choice is often young not yet proven talent like Motta, and 4th and 5th choices are usually Primavera products who will never get a chance – in our case Furlanetto (Serie C goalkeeper) and Giacomone (17y). So origin of our troubles is idiotic decision to loan Mandas ans Sarri’s (yes, HIS!) BROKEN promise, that he will give Mandas chance in Serie A in 2-3 matches during November-December to challange Provedel’s position. He didn’t, so Mandas himself wanted to leave…
Btw. this is nothing new. 3 years ago (22/23) we had single (1, one!) striker – Immobile. When he got injured Pedro had to play false 9 (not particularly well) for a whole month!
I’m aware that you can’t refuse senior players to play for the national team. This doesn’t go for -21 Euro though I’m pretty sure.
All NT categories are treated the same. A-team, U21, U20, U19 etc. Every called-up player HAS TO BE relieved by the club for NT purposes if it is Championship qualifiers/final tournaments during official FIFA terms.. They may refuse only friendlies. Italia is now playing U21 Euro qualification.
OK but if he carries an injury, doesn’t the NT have some responsibility for his well being? Unless he takes the responsibility on himself I suppose but considering it is not the senior team we talk about, the importance of said match, maybe for his well being should a reason to send him back to the club? I might be in the wrong but can I be in the right?
Let’s not forget the dream is to play for the seniors not for the unders…and yes it’s not an Acl or something but still.. am I being biased?
Okay check.
“He has been ruled out of facing Sweden U21 and sent back to his club due to a worsening pre-existing condition, the statement added.”
This statement though if there’s any truth to the matter. This should have dire consequences.
He is back and well apparently, thank God 🙏