Balotelli out of Italy's semifinal with thigh injury
Source: AFP |
June 25, 2013, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
FORWARD Mario Balotelli will miss Italy's semifinal vs Spain in the Confederations Cup due to a strained thigh, handing the team another major injury complication before facing the World Cup holder.
The Italian Football Federation made the announcement on Sunday following medical tests on Balotelli's left quadriceps. The injury occurred during Italy's 2-4 loss to Brazil on Saturday.
The federation said that Balotelli would continue to be monitored in the hope that he can return for Italy's next match, either the final or the third-place game. Italy faces Spain on Thursday then the final and third-place games are scheduled for June 30.
Balotelli has been the Azzurri's most explosive player in the tournament so far. He scored the winner in Italy's 2-1 victory over Mexico, converted a penalty in the 4-3 win over Japan and set up a goal for Emanuele Giaccherini in the loss to Brazil.
Also, Balotelli has started as Italy's lone true forward in each match thus far. Key playmaker Andrea Pirlo was expected back for the semifinals after missing the Brazil game with a muscle problem.
Needing a draw to book a semifinal date with Italy, Spain made an ideal start on Sunday when Jordi Alba slalomed through the Nigerian defence to give the world champion a third-minute lead. After substitute Fernando Torres scored with a diving header shortly beyond the hour, and Alba sealed a 3-0 win with another impressive strike two minutes from time.
Elsewhere, Uruguay secured its place in the semifinals with an 8-0 drubbing of Tahiti, featuring the fastest goal in the competition's history. The Cup record-breaker was Abel Hernandez, the Palermo striker heading in off Nicolas Lodeiro's corner after just 79 seconds. He went on to bag four, with Diego Perez, Lodeiro and Luis Suarez with a double, joining him on the scoresheet.
The Italian Football Federation made the announcement on Sunday following medical tests on Balotelli's left quadriceps. The injury occurred during Italy's 2-4 loss to Brazil on Saturday.
The federation said that Balotelli would continue to be monitored in the hope that he can return for Italy's next match, either the final or the third-place game. Italy faces Spain on Thursday then the final and third-place games are scheduled for June 30.
Balotelli has been the Azzurri's most explosive player in the tournament so far. He scored the winner in Italy's 2-1 victory over Mexico, converted a penalty in the 4-3 win over Japan and set up a goal for Emanuele Giaccherini in the loss to Brazil.
Also, Balotelli has started as Italy's lone true forward in each match thus far. Key playmaker Andrea Pirlo was expected back for the semifinals after missing the Brazil game with a muscle problem.
Needing a draw to book a semifinal date with Italy, Spain made an ideal start on Sunday when Jordi Alba slalomed through the Nigerian defence to give the world champion a third-minute lead. After substitute Fernando Torres scored with a diving header shortly beyond the hour, and Alba sealed a 3-0 win with another impressive strike two minutes from time.
Elsewhere, Uruguay secured its place in the semifinals with an 8-0 drubbing of Tahiti, featuring the fastest goal in the competition's history. The Cup record-breaker was Abel Hernandez, the Palermo striker heading in off Nicolas Lodeiro's corner after just 79 seconds. He went on to bag four, with Diego Perez, Lodeiro and Luis Suarez with a double, joining him on the scoresheet.
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