'Immense' Sandro Tonali pick of the bunch as Newcastle United get welcome reminder

Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali in action for Italy
-Credit: (Image: FIGC via Getty Images)


Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali continued his impressive run of displays for Italy after returning from a 10-month ban for betting offences. Eddie Howe has been keen to take care when integrating the midfielder back into the fold, but that hasn't been the case on international duty.

The Magpies faithful will be hoping he's able to carry on that form in the Premier League when he returns to the North East, ahead of an important run of games. The Magpies are on the fringes of the European places and Howe will be pleased to have no further injury issues on the back of the international break.

Here's how Newcastle's international contingent fared over the course of the international break:

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England - Tino Livramento, Nick Pope & Anthony Gordon

Anthony Gordon was the only Magpie used by Lee Carsley over the course of the international break. The Newcastle winger played an hour in England's disappointing 2-1 defeat to Greece.

Gordon was then an unused substitute for the 3-1 win over Finland, joining Tino Livramento and Nick Pope on the bench - both of whom were left on the bench for the defeat to Greece earlier in the week.

England U21s - Lewis Hall

Newcastle youngster Lewis Hall played the full 90 minutes of England U21s 2-1 win over Ukraine, before coming off the bench for the young Lions impressive 7-0 win over Azerbaijan.

Brazil - Bruno Guimaraes

Bruno Guimaraes was a second-half substitute in Brazil's 2-1 win over Chile, before playing 79 minutes of the 4-0 win over Peru. It's some much needed breathing space for Seleção boss Dorival Junior having lost some ground in the race for World Cup qualification.

Bruno Guimaraes
Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes -Credit:Newcastle United via Getty Images

Italy - Sandro Tonali

Sandro Tonali was singled out by Italy boss Luciano Spalletti for what he did in the 4-1 win over Israel. The Newcastle midfielder made a lung busting run to track back even though the result was beyond any doubt.

“He is a very strong player, immense I would say for what he is doing,” the Italy boss said, according to FC Inter News. “He made two runs in the 90 minutes with pace, frequency and strength that were really incredible.

“When he turns on the car, it goes loud and when he puts it back in the garage it goes strong anyway.”

He was also called a 'madman' for his display against Belgium after Italy went down to ten men.

Paraguay - Miguel Almiron

Magpies' winger Miguel Almiron played 80 minutes of Paraguay's 2-1 win over Venezuela to keep their World Cup qualification hopes alive. The Newcastle forward has had limited gametime at St. James' Park this season, but is a regular for his country.

He played another 75 minutes in the 0-0 draw Ecuador earlier in the international break.

Greece - Odysseas Vlachidomos

Odysseas Vlachodimos started Greece's memorable 2-1 win over England and pulled off a number of important saves. The Newcastle shot stopper then kept a clean sheet in the following Nations League clash with the Republic of Ireland, maintaining their unbeaten run in Group 2.

Sweden - Emil Krafth

Emil Krafth came off the bench in Sweden's 2-2 draw with Slovakia for the final few minutes of the game. He then started and played the full 90 minutes of their 3-0 win over Estonia, keeping a clean sheet in the process.