Italy are facing a midfield crisis ahead of their Euro 2016 quarter-final showdown with Germany after Daniele De Rossi was injured in the win over Spain and Thiago Motta incurred a suspension.
Sports Livestream ⚽ JOIN NOW for FREE
Instant access to the BT Sport, Sky Sports and Eurosport
De Rossi was forced off with a hip problem during the second half of Monday’s 2-0 victory at the Stade de France which ended Spain’s eight-year reign as European champions.
Thiago Motta replaced De Rossi shortly before the hour mark but the Paris St-German man collected his second booking of the tournament and is now suspended for the showdown with the world champions in Bordeaux on Saturday.
To make matters worse for Azzurri manager Antonio Conte, Lazio’s Antonio Candreva has missed the last two matches due to a groin injury.
“Motta is suspended and that will penalise us because De Rossi has hurt his hip. We have already lost Candreva,” said Conte.
“We will look at De Rossi in the coming hours but I can’t say yet what chances he has of recovering.
“We are playing on Saturday so we have four days to recuperate. I want my players to be at 100 per cent for the game because they will have to play at 120, 130 or 140 per cent to beat Germany.”
“There are a lot of hurdles in our way but we know when the going gets tough we respond well.”
