Spinazzola reveals he gave up Italy for individual training

Roma's Leonardo Spinazzola has revealed he has opted to miss Nations League matches in Italy to hold individual training this month as he continues his recovery from a serious injury to the Achilles tendon.

Spinazzola enjoyed a breakthrough on the international stage during Italy's successful Euro 2020 campaign last year, impressing as an attacking left-back for Roberto Mancini's side.

However, he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in the Azzurri's quarter-final win over Belgium in July 2021, and made just three Serie A appearances before the end of last season .

The 29-year-old has played in all seven Giallorossi league games this season but revealed his previous injury continued to take its toll after opting to skip Italy's Nations League games against England and Hungary.

"Not going to Coverciano was my request to Roberto Mancini, the coach understood and allowed me these 10 days to get back in shape and do specific work for the calf", he said told club media.

"I think mine is one of the worst injuries for a player, especially considering my characteristics. I still lack support and speed."

Roma are four points behind early Serie A leaders Napoli and Atalanta, but the arrival of Paulo Dybala and the influence of coach Jose Mourinho have made them look like potential title contenders.

Spinazzola praised the former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss, adding: "We are with him, whatever he says we do. If he told us to go to war , we would.

"It's true, he has this gift. Then everything he says, for the most part, comes true.

"But he's very calm in training. I don't know how he was in the past, but he's really calm. Sometimes he just observes from above.

"He likes to watch how you move, how you move your body, your body language, he watches a lot of those things."

Roma were beaten by Atalanta in their last league outing and will face a huge test of their Serie A credentials when they travel to another of Mourinho's former clubs Inter on October 1.