Barzagli adds to Azzurri woe
19 Jun 2008 - 16:13:23
Italy defender Andrea Barzagli has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament after damaging his knee during training.
The Wolfsburg defender featured in Italy's opening 3-0 defeat to Holland, but will now be sidelined for Sunday's quarter-final with Spain after being told he requires surgery.
Azzurri coach Roberto Donadoni is already struggling for defensive options after losing captain Fabio Cannavaro through injury on the eve of the tournament.
"The Euros are over for Andrea Barzagli," confirmed a team spokesman.
"The defender, injured in training, immediately underwent checks which showed a tear in the meniscus of the left knee.
"The player has expressed a desire to stay with the squad but in the coming days he will have an operation."