Daniele Rugani may make his return as an international for Italy. The thirty-year-old defender, who played for Ajax last season, has been added to the squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifying matches.
Rugani replaces AC Milan defender Matteo Gabbia, who has suffered a calf injury. Italy was already short on central defenders. Alessandro Buongiorno (Napoli) and Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal) had to drop out, and Francesco Acerbi (Internazionale) withdrew himself.
As a result, Rugani has come back into the picture. National coach Luciano Spalletti has added the central defender to his squad for the World Cup qualifying matches against Norway (June 6) and Moldova (June 9).
Rugani made his international debut in September 2016 and has since played seven matches for Italy. He last did so in June 2018 during a friendly match against the Dutch national team (1-1).
Rugani was loaned to Ajax by Juventus last season. He played 26 matches for the Amsterdammers, but the collaboration was not a great success. Ajax had not negotiated a purchase option, and Rugani returns to Turin, where he is under contract for another year.