Fabregas doubtful for semifinal
Source: Agencies |
July 7, 2010, Wednesday
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SPAIN midfielder Cesc Fabregas is doubtful for today's World Cup semifinal against Germany after injuring his right leg in training.
A team spokeswoman said that an X-ray had shown no bone damage and "his participation had not been ruled out" for the second semifinal in Durban.
Fabregas picked up the injury in Monday's training at the Spanish base in Potchefstroom. The midfielder has yet to start in the tournament so far but came on as a second-half substitute for Fernando Torres in Spain's 1-0 quarterfinal win over Paraguay on Saturday.
He was already struggling with a shoulder injury picked up in that match and had said he was prepared to have a pain-killing injection on it so he could play against the Germans if needed.
Fabregas helped Spain win the 2008 European Championship in Vienna when it beat Germany 1-0 in the final.
Striker Fernando Torres has also said that he has not fully recovered from the knee surgery in April, saying he was "not at his physical best".
The Liverpool striker has failed to score in five games at the tournament so far and said he has had his share of "difficult moments" in South Africa.
Spain will be heavily dependent on David Villa who leads the scoring chart with five goals in five games. The 28-year-old forward is one goal away from matching Raul Gonzalez's Spain record of 44 and is looking to cement his place as his country's greatest striker.
"He's left-footed, right-footed, technically gifted. He's almost as complete a player as Lionel Messi," Germany's Miroslav Klose said, comparing Villa to the Argentina standout. "He's a player that you have to combat against with a whole team, not just one defender."
The match should feature a sharp contrast in styles - Spain's precision passing and high-possession game versus Germany's full-pitch attacking style and crosses into the box.
A team spokeswoman said that an X-ray had shown no bone damage and "his participation had not been ruled out" for the second semifinal in Durban.
Fabregas picked up the injury in Monday's training at the Spanish base in Potchefstroom. The midfielder has yet to start in the tournament so far but came on as a second-half substitute for Fernando Torres in Spain's 1-0 quarterfinal win over Paraguay on Saturday.
He was already struggling with a shoulder injury picked up in that match and had said he was prepared to have a pain-killing injection on it so he could play against the Germans if needed.
Fabregas helped Spain win the 2008 European Championship in Vienna when it beat Germany 1-0 in the final.
Striker Fernando Torres has also said that he has not fully recovered from the knee surgery in April, saying he was "not at his physical best".
The Liverpool striker has failed to score in five games at the tournament so far and said he has had his share of "difficult moments" in South Africa.
Spain will be heavily dependent on David Villa who leads the scoring chart with five goals in five games. The 28-year-old forward is one goal away from matching Raul Gonzalez's Spain record of 44 and is looking to cement his place as his country's greatest striker.
"He's left-footed, right-footed, technically gifted. He's almost as complete a player as Lionel Messi," Germany's Miroslav Klose said, comparing Villa to the Argentina standout. "He's a player that you have to combat against with a whole team, not just one defender."
The match should feature a sharp contrast in styles - Spain's precision passing and high-possession game versus Germany's full-pitch attacking style and crosses into the box.
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