WCQ 2010 - Europe

Injured Amelia Leaves Italy Squad

Palermo goalkeeper Marco Amelia is officially out Italy’s upcoming World Cup 2010 qualifiers, and has left the squad’s training base at Coverciano.

Sep 3, 2008 5:19:49 PM

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Marco Amelia (Grazia Neri)

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Italy

Amelia yesterday reported severe pain in his back, and he was immediately labelled as doubtful for Saturday’s trip to Cyprus, and the home clash against Georgia next Wednesday.

It has now been confirmed that he has slipped a disc, and he has thus left Italy’s training ground at Coverciano.

Third goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis of Galatasaray will now step in as deputy for first choice between the sticks Gianluigi Buffon.

The Azzurri will be hoping to begin their World Cup defence with a victory on Saturday evening, although coach Marcello Lippi has been quick to warn them of taking Cyprus for granted.

“The more we think it will be easy, the more difficult it will be,” the 60-year-old noted yesterday.

“This is the first game on the road to repeating Berlin. I didn't just come back to win but to rebuild a winning foundation.

“However, we will remember that we have the world champions' logo on our shirts and we will be united and full of intent.”

Lippi has returned to the Italy bench for a second spell, having originally stepped down from his post after the World Cup success in Germany in 2006.

Anthony Sormani