Luciano Spaletti took charge of his final game as Italy boss after he revealed he'd be relieved of his duties following the 3-0 defeat to Norway at the weekend.
Spaletti was told that he'd be let go after presiding over the World Cup Qualifier with Moldova on Monday night.
Italy put the heavy defeat to Norway behind them by beating Moldova 2-0, but Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali came in for some criticism after the game.
It was Tonali's 55th game of a busy season, which started late for the Italian as he served the remainder of his 10-month ban at the start of the campaign, so understandably, the fatigue was starting to show.
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Tonali italy june 2025 newcastle united nufc 2000
Daniele Mascolo/REUTERS
Tonali wasn't on top form for Italy last night
Sky Sports Italy called Sandro Tonali a 'warrior' before hammering for having a bad game
Tonali had been praised weekly by Premier League pundits for his relentless energy after we'd regularly see him running full pelt from one end of the pitch to the other late in the game, but as Sky Sports Italia said in their player ratings, 'even warriors get tired'.
"TONALI - 5/10
"Even warriors get tired. And Tonali, who, since returning to the Azzurri after his disqualification, had revitalised the national team, is experiencing his own period of apnea. He remains generous, but with smears that, in his best physical condition, he never showed"
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Sandro Tonali has more important things to think about than his performance last night
However, while Sky Sports were forgiving in their write-up despite handing the Newcastle man a rating of 5/10, Tuttosport were much less forgiving, but offered him a score of 5.5/10.
“He is long cut off from the game. Apathetic.”
Finally, Corriere dello Sport were the most generous with their rating, giving Tonali 6/10, but they accused him of going missing.
“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 can now rest until Newcastle United return to training, although it won't all be relaxation as he is due to get married at the start of next month. Good luck to Sandro and Juliette.