Frosinone striker Antonio Raimondo has been released from the Italy Under-21 squad due to an unspecified injury, casting doubt over his availability for the club’s upcoming Serie A fixture against Napoli.
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) confirmed that Raimondo was assessed as unavailable for the national team’s upcoming fixtures and has left the training camp. The Italy U21 squad, managed by Silvio Baldini, trained without the forward on Monday as they prepare for a European Championship qualifier against Armenia on Thursday. The team is scheduled to depart for Yerevan ahead of the match.
Impact on Frosinone’s Season
Raimondo’s withdrawal is a significant blow for newly-promoted Frosinone. The 19-year-old, who is on loan from Bologna, has been one of the standout performers in the early weeks of the Serie A season. His impressive tally of four goals has quickly established him as a crucial attacking outlet for Massimiliano Alvini’s side. This goal count places him among the league’s top scorers, matching the likes of Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez and Varela, and only surpassed by Borussia Dortmund’s Donyell Malen.
For a team like Frosinone, fighting to establish itself in Italy’s top flight, the contributions of a prolific young striker like Raimondo are invaluable. His potential absence for the challenging trip to Napoli, a fixture still more than ten days away, would be keenly felt. While the extended timeframe offers some hope for recovery, the exact nature of his injury has not been disclosed by the federation, leaving his return timeline uncertain.
Italy U21 Squad Adjustments
With Raimondo now out of contention, Italy U21 coach Silvio Baldini will need to adjust his attacking options for the crucial European Championship qualifier against Armenia. The focus for the national team remains on securing a strong result to aid their qualification campaign.
Frosinone will be closely monitoring Raimondo’s condition as they prepare for the resumption of Serie A action. His early-season form has been vital to their promising start in the top flight, and his fitness will be a primary concern for the club in the coming days as they look to maintain momentum.