
<p>Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo have departed the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/italy-national-team-tv-schedule/">Italy</a> national team setup due to an ongoing gambling investigation in the country. The star midfield duo was notified of the police inquiry by a prosecutor on Thursday. Both players were at the Italy team headquarters when they received the news.</p>



<p>The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) confirmed the investigation in a statement regarding the situation. However, the organization did not add further details on why the two were being looked at by police. </p>



<p>“The federation announces that this afternoon the Turin Public Prosecutor’s Office has conducted investigations into players, Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo, who are currently training with the national team at the Coverciano Federal Training Center,” <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/oct/12/sandro-tonali-and-nicolo-zaniolo-leave-italy-training-camp-amid-investigation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">read</a> the official statement.</p>



<p>“Regardless of the nature of the events, considering that the two players are not in the necessary condition to face the matches scheduled for the next few days, the federation has decided, also for their protection, to allow them to return to their respective clubs.”</p>



<h2>Italy authorities link Zaniolo and Tonali to illegal gambling</h2>



<p>While the federation is remaining quiet on the situation, there are rumors that the duo participated in illegal betting. Italian tabloids <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-12627291/Sandro-Tonali-Nicolo-Zaniolo-phones-seized-police-investigating-betting-breaches-stars-joined-Newcastle-Aston-Villa-pair-tears-grilled-families.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">claim</a> that Tonali and Zaniolo both recently had their phones confiscated by police. <em><a href="https://www.calcionapoli24.it/notizie/era-solo-poker-e-blackjack-zaniolo-e-tonali-quasi-in-lacrime-davanti-n578997.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">La Repubblica</a></em> then reported on Friday that the midfielders denied that they ever placed bets on soccer games.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">"This is scary… It feels like it can be manipulative of football. It&apos;s about not tainting the game."<a href="https://twitter.com/kate_abdo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kate_abdo</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Nicocantor1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Nicocantor1</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/jordangeli?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jordangeli</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/susannahcollins?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@susannahcollins</a> discuss the illegal gambling allegations against Italian national team players Sandro Tonali and Nicolò Zaniolo. 👀 <a href="https://t.co/ClZPnaB00D">pic.twitter.com/ClZPnaB00D</a></p>— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1712822445730615804?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>Fellow Italian midfielder Nicolo Fagioli is also currently <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/juve-midfielder-faces-ban-amid-illegal-gambling-probe-20231011-WST-461531.html">under investigation</a> in the illegal betting probe. The <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/juventus-tv-schedule/">Juventus</a> star faces a fine and a lengthy ban if authorities find him guilty. Nevertheless, the public does not know what Fagioli bet on.</p>



<h2>Star duo recently signed with Premier League clubs</h2>



<p>Italian soccer officials can suspend players for betting on matches. However, authorities of the sport do not deal with other types of gambling. Italian Football Federation rules currently state that any player convicted of betting on games could face a three-year ban.</p>



<p>Tonali and Zaniolo only just recently joined <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a> teams. Tonali made a shock move to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/newcastle-united-tv-schedule/">Newcastle</a> this summer in a massive $67 million move from <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/ac-milan-tv-schedule/">AC Milan</a>. Zaniolo, on the other hand, currently plays for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/aston-villa-tv-schedule/">Aston Villa</a>. He secured a loan deal in August.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Beautiful Sports</em></p>


Tonali, Zaniolo leave Italy team amid investigation

Italy midfield duo Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo departed the national team due to an ongoing gambling investigation.

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<p>Italy entered the UEFA Nations League A Group 3 with a productive restart atop its group. Roberto Mancini honorably discharged several veterans after Italy’s loss in the <em>Finalissima</em> to Argentina. In turn, Italy’s manager created the opportunity for budding players. Players that, previously, may not receive an opportunity with the national side.</p>
<p>Serie A possesses an unwanted problem. Italian-bred players do not get ample playing time compared to the 1990s. Back then Serie A truly represented Italian soccer.</p>
<p>As a result, players born outside Italy proliferate in Serie A in the modern day. On the plus side, the top four teams in the division perform well in their respective club matches. However, since Italian bred players do not receive enough conditioning amid competition, their development gets prolonged. The Azzurri receive the short end of the stick.</p>
<p>The UEFA Nations League is the perfect opportunity for Roberto Mancini. The former Manchester City and Inter manager can test new lineups within a shape-shifting, tactical approach.</p>
<p>For example, Wilfried Gnonto shows promise for a bright future. Gnonto’s outstanding speed led to his assist to Lorenzo Pellegrini in the opener against Germany. Already, the 18-year-old Ivorian-Italian from Piedmont lit a fuse among Italians as a potential star. But, Mancini prefers to let the youngster focus on his game.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>“He’s only 18, and he shouldn’t have too much pressure put on him; he needs to be left alone to develop.” </em></p></blockquote>
<p>Gnonto’s stout physiology creates fouls that lead to set pieces since opposing players can easily overpower him with physicality. The Azzurri hope that Gnonto’s development will continue to blossom as he matures into his twenties.</p>
<h5>Towering Strikers</h5>
<p>Though absent from the current Nations League, another budding star is Nicolò Zaniolo. The leading goal scorer for Roma ruptured a ligament in the 2020-21 season, sidelining him for 266 days. However, Zaniolo returned to the grand stage. The 22-year-old forward is tall, standing 6’3, and his physicality mirrors former forward Luca Toni. The Fiorentina striker was a member of the Azzurri’s 2006 World Cup team. Recently, Ballon d’Or alumni and Italian legend <a href="https:\/\/romapress.net/italy-legend-roberto-baggio-thinks-zaniolo-can-turn-things-around/">Roberto Baggio praised Zaniolo</a> as Italy’s future goal-scorer.</p>
<p>Baggio encouraged the Roma star following injuries that mirrored those of Baggio in his career. The <em>Divine Ponytail</em> referred to Zaniolo’s game-winner against Feyenoord when Roma was crowned Europa Conference League Champions.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>“The goal he scored in the Conference League Final can only boost his confidence and let him look to the future with less pressure.”</em></p></blockquote>
<p>Italy has another standout striker who slowly rises above the ranks: Gianluca Scamacca. The 6’5″ forward born in Rome mirrors the likes of Christian Vieri. Vieri also stood tall and bold for the Italians in his career. As a 23-year-old, Scamacca scored 34 goals in his senior club career with primarily Dutch and Italian teams.</p>
<p>The Azzurri seem to be brewing the idea of a future Scamacca/Zaniolo dynamic duo on the front lines. The two forwards stand like skyscrapers against the opposition. With tall defenders on their backs, Scamacca and Zaniolo’s matching statures can prove effective in their ability to receive passes in limited spaces. Additionally, tall forwards typically have a superior back-to-goal game. They can turn-and-shoot in tight areas around the six-yard box.</p>
<h3>Italy and its Nations League restart</h3>
<p>Italy’s 1-1 draw with Germany on Matchday 1 was an impressive feat. Moreover, Italy’s win against Hungary on Matchday 2 in the Nations League displayed Lorenzo Pellegrini’s playmaking.</p>
<p>The Roma captain and his teammate, holding Midfielder Bryan Cristante, have a tangible presence. They show the world what they can do when youngsters with tenacity replace veterans like Jorginho and Emerson.</p>
<p>Lorenzo Pellegrini’s role as a No. 10 proves to be effective in his distribution and creativity on the ball. Moreover, positioning on counterattacks is perfect thus far. He scored <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/2022/06/07/new-look-italy-beat-hungary-to-top-nations-league-group/">the game-winner against Hungary</a>. Nonetheless, 24-year-old Manuel Locatelli from Juventus and 25-year-old Matteo Pessina representing Atalanta are central midfielders coming off the bench. Both Locatelli and Pessina are undoubtedly starting players.</p>
<p>Twenty-five-year-old Nicolò Barella continues to display his prowess as the double 9. Frequently, he plays the false nine as a winger, confusing the opposing team’s defense. However, Barella morphs into his role as a striker with ease. The momentum generated by Barella’s straight shot against Hungary proved to be more effective than the inside foot placement shots easily stopped by goalkeepers. Moreover, Barella’s harmless-looking long balls create dangerous situations against Hungary’s defensive line. Barella’s ability to skin players and cleave through defenders is reminiscent of Roma legend Francesco Totti. The Inter Milan midfielder shows promise for Italy in the next World Cup. Especially since former head coach Marcello Lippi claimed Barella is Italy’s star.</p>
<p>Since Euro 2020, the Azzurri aged quickly in one year. Yet, Roberto Mancini is a man on a mission with a broad range of talented players at his disposal. There’s a fine line between national pride and club success. Perhaps, the FIGC should prioritize their values in next year’s Serie A. Consequently, it helps the expectations of a fifth World Cup.</p>
<p><em>PHOTO:&nbsp;Marco Luzzani/Getty Images</em></p>


The Italians won Euro 2020, then missed out on the World Cup. Italy now sees the UEFA Nations League as a chance to get players experience.

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Tonali, Zaniolo leave Italy team amid investigation

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Italy using the UEFA Nations League as a chance for a restart