Sandro Tonali of Italy in action during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A Group A2 match between Italy and France
Sandro Tonali of Italy in action during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A Group A2 match between Italy and France
Sandro Tonali has admitted to getting 'emotional' on his long-awaited return to football earlier this season but the Italian is now relishing life under national team boss Luciano Spalletti, who could help transform the Newcastle United star at club level too.
Tonali's 10-month suspension saw him miss the bulk of the Magpies' 2023/24 campaign, as well as his country's ill-fated Euro 2024 stint in the summer. Spalletti, who won Serie A with Napoli before moving into the international role, has since made sweeping changes to his Azzurri side - with Newcastle's central midfielder at the heart of them.
“My return to the field against France was a bit of a liberation," Tonali told Vivo Azzurro TV over the weekend. "The first encounters with Newcastle were very emotional, but this one I experienced totally on a football level. It was the third match and I no longer had the emotion of the first. It was very beautiful, everything came naturally.”
Tonali is still fighting for a regular starting spot in Eddie Howe's Newcastle side but is arguably the first name on Spalletti's team sheet these days. The former AC Milan star has started six of six Italy games since his competitive return in late August and is the glue that holds his team together.
“Sandro Tonali is immense for what he is doing," Spalletti said earlier in the campaign. "It is incredible, the game can last as long as he wants for him. He made two runs in the 90th minute [against Israel] with pace; a strength that is truly incredible."
Tonali's performances away from Newcastle have earned him such lavish praise from his boss, with the 24-year-old earning four wins, two assists and one goal over the last three international breaks. Spalletti has overhauled his team's style of play, their average age and his selection options ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with Tonali now the main man.
This sort of backing 1,400 miles away in Rome can only have a positive impact on the Newcastle star, who will be hoping to earn similar, regular backing from his club boss too.
“With Mr. Spalletti, the relationship has been very important, he has been close to me," Tonali added. "We didn’t talk much, but we talked at the right moments, both before and after the European Championship.
"He hoped to find me in normal form, knowing that after a year off I couldn’t be feeling great. We are working on one aspect, which is simplicity. Everyone has done what they know how to do in the best way, without inventing anything.
"This enhances all the players, technically and physically, everyone helps their teammate and there are no individualisms. This has made the difference so far. We all have the dream of winning every single match and trying to win trophies. Because a victory with the national team stays forever and is worth much more than anything else.”