
Striker Mario Balotelli has been ruled out of Italy's Confederations Cup semi-final against Spain on Thursday with a thigh injury. The 22-year-old AC Milan striker, who has two goals to his name at the tournament of continental champions in Brazil, had been expected to lead Italy's attack against Spain in Fortaleza. "The examinations carried out this afternoon (Sunday) in Fortaleza on Mario Balotelli showed a grade-one tear in the quadriceps muscle of the left leg," the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) said in a statement. "The player will not be available for the semi-final against Spain on Thursday, June 27 and in the coming days his condition will be evaluated for the match on the 30th (either the final or third-place play-off)." Earlier, the FIGC had confirmed right-back Ignazio Abate's withdrawal from the tournament due to a dislocated shoulder and said midfielder Riccardo Montolivo was due to undergo tests on a head injury. Abate hurt his shoulder during Italy's 4-2 loss to Brazil on Saturday and team doctor Enrico Castellacci said he would return to Italy immediately "given the impossibility of him continuing in the competition". Castellacci said that an initial brain scan on Montolivo had revealed nothing, after the Milan midfielder was also forced off during the Brazil game. "The boy is doing better and his condition will also be medically evaluated," Castellacci said. Manager Cesare Prandelli said he hoped to have Andrea Pirlo fit for the semi-final after the Juventus midfielder sat out the Brazil game with a calf complaint. From: AFP
GMT 22:27 2018 Thursday ,13 December
Russian swimmer Prigoda takes gold in China with new WR in men’s 200m breaststrokeGMT 11:54 2018 Tuesday ,11 December
Ajax and Bayern in tasty Champions League duel for first placeGMT 07:42 2018 Thursday ,15 November
After IOC pressure, Spain lets Kosovo athletes compete under flagGMT 14:21 2018 Tuesday ,30 October
US Mayweather to fight Russia’s Nurmagomedov strictly under UFC rulesGMT 09:23 2018 Thursday ,11 October
UEFA abstains from broadcasting games in Israeli settlementsGMT 12:32 2018 Friday ,28 September
Germany ready to learn from Russia’s experience of hosting 2018 FIFA World CupGMT 11:24 2018 Wednesday ,26 September
Malaysian football latest newsGMT 14:48 2018 Sunday ,09 September
Spain Team Coached by Luis Enrique Looks StrongMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor