Italy boss Cesare Prandelli has received some mixed news from the medical department ahead of the start of the European Championship.
Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli was cleared for the opening game against Spain after it was revealed his muscle injury was not as serious as first feared.
The controversial striker had pulled out of Italy’s training session on Monday after complaining of tightness in his thigh.
However, Andrea Barzagli is likely to miss the final tournament after it was confirmed the player had suffered a first degree calf strain.
“We could change a player 24 hours before the Euros. But we will try to get him fit,” Italy team doctor Enrico Castellacci told reporters.
“We are confident he can recover but in any case he would not be available in the first phase.”
Should Barzagli fail to recover in time, Prandelli will probably call Inter’s Andrea Ranocchia, who was in Azzurri’s provisional squad.
Considering the circumstances it is almost certain that Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini will form defensive partnership in Italy’s opening game against Spain.
The reigning European champions are odds-on favourites to win that match, but odds of 5.40 (24/5) offered on Azzurri at BetVictor do look tempting.
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