Newcastle United and Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali capped off his 2024-25 season with a 2-0 win over Moldova.
Sandro Tonali was criticised by the Italian media as he showed signs of fatigue in his final game of the 2024-25 season.
The Newcastle United star was again in action for Italy on Monday evening as his side recovered from Friday’s 3-0 defeat away to Norway to beat Moldova 2-0 and register a first win in their World Cup qualifying group.
It marked Tonali’s 55th and last appearance of a physically and mentally exhausting campaign, where he returned from his 10-month betting ban near the end of August to establish himself as an instrumental player for both club and country.
The 25-year-old has been heavily praised by both Eddie Howe and departed Azzurri boss Luciano Spalletti for his non-stop running from minute one to minute 90. It is why the midfielder has rarely been substituted.
Italian media slam ‘apathetic’ Sandro Tonali
With that in mind, it is understandable that Tonali looked tired - not that the Italian media were as understanding, mind. Tuttosport handed the former AC Milan man a 5.5/10 and bluntly wrote: “He is long cut off from the game. Apathetic.”
Sky Sport Italia were slightly less cutting in their explanation, although still awarded a 5/10. “Even warriors get tired,” Sky said. “And Tonali, who had revitalized the national team since his return to the national team after the disqualification, is experiencing his period of apnea. He remains generous, but with smudges that, in the best physical condition, he has never shown.
Meanwhile, Corriere dello Sport gave Tonali a 6/10, adding “more of an added attacker than a midfielder, he seems to hide in the folds of the game instead of taking it, in his own way, by the horns. But he is always there”.
Sandro Tonali set for well-earned break... and marriage!
Tonali will now jet off on holiday and is due to be married to long-term partner Juliette Pastore at the beginning of July before returning for pre-season.
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Tonali and Pastore first met in 2019, while he was still a player in Serie B with Brescia. While we all know Tonali’s talents, Pastore, too, is also popular in her own right. She boasts more than 123,000 followers on Instagram alone, and could well be classed as an influencer.
She regularly shares shots of her modelling work for the likes of DoDo Jewels and Intimissimi, as well as showing shots of food and fashion from across her travels in Europe. Pastore is also a fashion entrepreneur, who owns her own clothing label called Juliette.24 Club.
Sandro Tonali on his Newcastle United future
The Italian media have been relentless in linking Tonali with a possible Serie A return but last week the player himself quashed such talk.
“I’m happy where I am now,” Tonali told Sky Sport Italia. “I’ve found people who care about me, and I care about them. I don’t want to break any of the bonds I’ve built. I’ve had a lot of thoughts every day, but right now, I’m happy where I am.”
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