Cristante pulls out of Italy squad

Roma confirmed Cristante's exit from the national team setup on medical grounds, according to Football Italia, though the exact nature and severity of the issue haven't been detailed. Gattuso moved fast, drafting in a replacement almost immediately to keep his midfield options intact heading into the fixtures.

Cristante has been a regular presence in Gattuso's plans, valued for his balance between the lines, so any absence chips away at Italy's central options during a window where squad depth tends to matter as much as star quality. Roma will be watching just as closely, given how often he's rotated through midfield roles for the club this season.

No timeline has been given for a return, and it's not yet clear whether this is a knock that clears up quickly or something that runs deeper into the club season. Flagside will update as more on the injury and the replacement's involvement becomes clear.