Italy's Zaza in doubt for Sweden play-off

Nov 9, 2017 - 4:07 PM Italy forward Simone Zaza has injured his left knee in training a day before the first leg of a World Cup play-off against Sweden.

The Italian football federation said Zaza stopped training because of a "flare-up of a previous problem with his left knee."

Zaza will still travel with the rest of the squad to Sweden but is in doubt for Friday's match.

The return match will be at the San Siro in Milan three days later.

There are already question marks over forwards Andrea Belotti and Ciro Immobile. Belotti, who scored 26 goals with Torino in Serie A last season, is working his way back from a right knee injury. Immobile leads the Italian league with 14 goals in 11 matches this season but recently strained a leg muscle.

Sweden coach Janne Andersson, meanwhile, said his team felt "strong" on the eve of the first leg.

"The pressure is maybe on the Italian team," Andersson told reporters, adding that it was "more important" how his side played.

"We feel optimistic, we feel that we are a good team and at home here."

Source: AAP