(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Midfielder Daniele De Rossi has been virtually ruled out of Italy''s Euro 2016 quarterfinal clash with world champions Germany on Saturday, according to the Azzurri''s medical staff.
De Rossi has been rock solid for Antonio Conte''s side as they upset pre-tournament predictions to top Group E then sweep defending champions Spain aside on Monday to set up a last eight clash in Bordeaux. But as he continues to suffer from a "serious right thigh injury" picked up in the 2-0 win over ''La Roja'' at the Stade de France, Azzurri team doctor Enrico Castellacci admitted the Roma midfielder is unlikely to return in time. "It''s a very serious situation," said Castellacci. "We''re trying everything to get him back in time. But we can''t give any prognosis." De Rossi went off in the 54th minute of the 2-0 win over Spain on Monday after suffering a knock on his hip. He was replaced by Thiago Motta who picked up a second yellow card and is suspended for Saturday''s quarterfinal against Germany. "As far as De Rossi is concerned, we''ll evaluate that in the next few hours or tomorrow," Conte had said at his post-match news conference in Saint-Denis. "I want my players to be 100 percent fit though, because we need to be 120, 130 percent fit against Germany." So I''ll evaluate things these days and find other solutions." Veteran De Rossi was used sparingly in the qualifiers but has been back in favour during the tournament and has been an important figure for Italy. Italy flew straight back to their Montpellier base after Monday evening''s match in Paris and were greeted by around 300 supporters at their hotel, according to the FIGC.
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