Rossi out of Euro 2012

darkman2

Rossi ruled out of Euros



Soccer: Italy will not be able to call on the services of ex Manchester United striker Giuseppe Rossi in this summer’s European Championships after the 25-year-old Villarreal player was ruled out for six months after rupturing a cruciate knee ligament.

Rossi is set to undergo surgery for a second time this season after suffering a similar injury back in October. He was on his return to fitness when he suffered the latest setback last Friday.

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli will be hoping that AC Milan striker Antonio Cassano can make a successful return from a stoke an subsequent heart problems before the end of the Serie A season, while he has not ruled out including Manchester City’s Mario Balotelli.

On Monday, Prandelli suggested that he will “calmly evaluate” Balotelli’s case for inclusion in his squad, although Rossi’s injury could change that stance.

Prandelli dropped the 21 year-old striker for the Azzurri’s last friendly against the USA in February after the player was handed a ban for stamping on Scott Parker a few weeks previously.

http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/soccer/2012/0413/1224314723607.html

What do you think? Good, bad, indifferent? Rossi is a pretty big loss but I suppose they have talent in the wings to take his place.

Seaneh

Rossi is a loss for them, but they have Cassano coming back just now, he came on for Milan last weekend and if he can get game time and get fit on time, that is massive boost as he is important for their system.

Pinturicchio

I really think Italy will be a bit of a shambles this summer, with or without Rossi.

SirDelboy18

They are limited enough up front, and while Rossi hasn't a great goals to caps ratio for them, he is a nice poacher in the right system.

Put it this way, I'd be far more confident with Rossi up front than I would be with Matri or Pazzini, were I Cesare Prandelli. Although Balotelli should feature a bit more now.

Dempsey

Good news for Ireland I suppose, he can be a real live-wire on his day.

Hopefully they'll bring Balotelli!

Raskolnikov

Rossi out until 2013 now - http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/story/_/id/7846908/giuseppe-rossi-villarreal-needs-third-knee-operation-2013

Sounds like he may never play football again, awful to see

joe123

That's awful. It's my biggest fear. I'm just going back taking part in training matches now after tearing my ACL a year ago and I can't stop thinking I'm gunna do it again.

You are better off breaking your foot than doing your acl. Really hope he makes a comeback.

steelcityblues

I think Cassano was always going to be their #1 threat, but it is still a loss.