Along with Malick Thiaw, I think Sandro Tonali has been one of Newcastle United’s best and most consistent players this season.
But even the former AC Milan star looked as if he was physically feeling the impact of so many games this season for both club and country as United lost to Brentford on Sunday.
Sandro Tonali played the full match of over 90 minutes for Italy four nights later as they beat Moldova 2-0 yesterday.
However, with that there was a silver lining and a big boost for Newcastle United.
Before yesterday’s match, Italy boss Gattuso made it clear that Sandro Tonali would only play on Sunday if the final group match meant something in a win over Norway.
However, Norway beat Estonia 4-1 on Thursday and so although they are only three points ahead of Italy, the Norwegians are a whopping 17 goals superior when it comes to goal difference. It means Italy needs to win by nine goals to top the group above Norway.
Some pretty crazy numbers, as Norway averaged almost five goals per group qualifier, scoring 33 in seven games. Of those 33 goals, Erling Haaland has scored no fewer than 14 goals in the seven qualifying matches.
The main reason why Gennaro Gattuso would only have risked Sandro Tonali against Norway if there was something to play for is because, with Italy now in second place in the group, Italy will be playing in the World Cup play-offs next March and the Newcastle midfielder is one yellow card away from being suspended.
Good news for Newcastle United as star player Tonali now has at least nine days between games as United take on Man City at St James’ Park in a week on Saturday.
It was in this match last season that Sandro Tonali (pictured above in that match) started his first Premier League match after his suspension ended. The midfielder was excellent and Newcastle at least deserved the point after a 1-1 draw against Man City.
However, Sandro Tonali is still desperate for his Italian teammates to get revenge on Norway on Sunday after a 3-0 defeat to them early in the group stage, speaking to Sky Sort Italia:
“It wasn’t easy [against Moldova] but this is modern football.
“We also knew that Norway had won, so it was a bit of a strange atmosphere.
“There were also a lot of changes and that made it difficult to fully concentrate, but we got the three points and that was what we needed now, to keep winning.
“We played a little less well than before, but we have to look at the big picture and overall progress.
“It’s easy to judge from the outside, but you have to experience it and know that in the end the result was more important to us than the World Cup qualifying.
“It would mean a lot to us [if Italy beat Norway]because it may not heal the wound, but it will help us move forward and end this group on a high.
“We reacted after Oslo, a match in which we had big problems, so we faced all the waves of attacks that came our way.
“This is football, it’s joy when you win and terrible when you lose, so you have to take the blows when you deserve them.”
It will also be strange for Sandro Tonali, as he will watch the Norway match at his old stadium, the San Siro, and Tonali has also been a lifelong AC Milan fan since he was a child:
“It’s emotional… it’s a place that is in my heart and every time I go back to Milan it will be emotional for me.
“It’s not the first time, but it will always feel like the second time, it will always be great.”
This is the November 2025 international fixture list for Newcastle United players:
Thursday November 13
Moldova 0 Italy 2
Sandro Tonali played the full match in this World Cup group qualifier and although it took until the 88th minute for the away side to score, they fully deserved the eventual 2-0 win. Tonali, the key figure in midfield, dominated throughout (28 to 3 shots, 13 to 1 corners, 65 to 3 touches by players in the opposition penalty area) but struggled to convert that into goals.
England 2 Serbia 0
A dominant performance from England with a classy Saka strike giving the hosts a half-time lead. Dan Burn watched from the bench as the Three Lions failed to capitalize on their chances until Eze matched Saka with the quality of his finishing in the 90th minute.
Friday November 14
Luxembourg vs Germany (Nick Woltemade, Malick Thiaw) World Cup qualifier
England U21s v Republic of Ireland U21s (Lewis Miley, Lewis Hall) U21s European Championship Group Qualifier
Saturday November 15
Brazil – Senegal (Bruno Guimaraes) Friendly match on neutral ground (Emirates Stadium)
Switzerland vs Sweden (Anthony Elanga, Emil Krafth) World Cup qualifier
Sunday November 16
Italy vs Norway (Sandro Tonali) World Cup qualifier
Monday November 17
Albania v England (Dan Burn) World Cup qualifier
Germany vs Slovakia (Nick Woltemade, Malick Thiaw) World Cup qualifier
Tuesday November 18
Sweden vs Slovenia (Anthony Elanga, Emil Krafth) World Cup qualifier
Brazil vs Tunisia (Bruno Guimaraes) Friendly match on neutral ground (Lille)
Slovakia U21s v England U21s (Lewis Miley, Lewis Hall) U21s European Championship Group Qualification
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