Soccer News of Wednesday, 7 June 2006
Source: Various
FLORENCE, Italy (AP) -Midfielder Gennaro Gattuso has been ruled out of Italy's World Cup opener, adding to the team's already significant injury problems. A medical exam Wednesday revealed a tear in Gattuso's right quadriceps.
Right back Gianluca Zambrotta will miss Monday's opener against Ghana with a left-thigh injury and central defender Alessandro Nesta is questionable with a right-thigh problem. Playmaker Francesco Totti is still regaining his form from left-leg surgery.
Gattuso is a key member of the Azzurri midfield. Like at AC Milan, he provides a tough, physical presence and covers more ground than nearly any other player on the team.
AS Roma's Simone Perrotta is a possible replacement.