WCQ 2010 - Europe

Italy Suffer Double Injury Blow

Italy did things the hard way in Cyprus as they scraped a 2-1 win but it wasn’t all good news for La Nazionale as Fabio Grosso and Alessandro Gamberini suffered some nasty injuries.

Sep 7, 2008 12:09:25 AM

Fabio Grosso being stretchered off early on for Italy against Cyprus with an injury.

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Fabio Grosso being stretchered off early on for Italy against Cyprus with an injury.

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Italy

The Fiorentina man’s game lasted just over a minute after he had to be stretchered off following an awkward fall. Gamberini was rushed to hospital and examinations have confirmed that he has suffered a dislocated shoulder.

It’s not good for Lippi or Fiorentina as Gamberini has been outstanding in recent matches.

Grosso was also crocked during the game and, like his colleague, he too paid a visit to Lanarca hospital. The Lyon stopper has a broken rib.

This latest set back comes just days after Marco Amelia was sent home with a back problem.

Italy’s injury problems in defence are likely to give Lippi a selection problem and the coach will now have to bring in some reinforcements for the game against Georgia next week.

Things could have been worse on the night as Italy could have gone home embarrassed, bruised and battered as Cyprus could have won the game.

But it was Antonio Di Natale who made the difference to spare La Nazionale from any further woes with a superb double strike to steal the points for his side.

Salvatore Landolina