Yet Another Italy Injury, Now Legrottaglie

Yet Another Italy Injury, Now Legrottaglie

The Azzurri’s bizarre injury curse has continued as Nicola Legrottaglie is a doubt to play tonight’s World Cup qualifier against Georgia after sustaining a muscular injury. Italy may now go into the game with just two available centre backs, and one defender on the bench.

Italy have been struck down by a whole host of injury problems over the past few days. With Giorgio Chiellini and Marco Materazzi not originally included due to fitness problems, deputy goalkeeper Marco Amelia last week had to withdraw because of a back problem, with Gianluca Curci coming in as a replacement.

During Saturday night’s 2-1 win over Cyprus, both Fabio Grosso and Alessandro Gamberini were forced off injured in the first 15 minutes. The pair have now left the Italian camp, as has Milan hardman Rino Gattuso, who suffered a dislocated hand during a bizarre training ground accident on Sunday.

If the injury curse could not get any worse, Nicola Legrottaglie is now a doubt for tonight’s game against Georgia after picking up a muscular injury to his right leg in training.

Legrottaglie, who was set to partner Fabio Cannavaro in the centre of defence, will undergo a medical examination this morning, before having a fitness test this afternoon to see whether or not he can play.

Although the injury is not said to be serious, it seems likely at this stage that Andrea Barzagli, who had a shocker against Cyprus, will start alongside Cannavaro.

Worse still, it also means that Marcello Lippi’s refusal to call up any defensive replacements may have backfired, as Italy face the prospect of going into tonight’s game with just two available centre backs, and with just one defender on the bench - fullback Marco Cassetti.

Anthony Sormani