Motta banned for Italy quarter-final, De Rossi a concern

Paris (AFP) – Italy are facing a serious selection headache in midfield ahead of their Euro 2016 quarter-final against Germany after Daniele De Rossi came off hurt in Monday’s win over Spain and Thiago Motta incurred a suspension.

Roma midfielder De Rossi came off early in the second half of the game at the Stade de France, which Italy won 2-0 thanks to goals by Giorgio Chiellini and Graziano Pelle.

He was replaced by Thiago Motta, but the Paris Saint-Germain player was booked and will now serve a one-game suspension, ruling him out of the clash with the world champions in Bordeaux next weekend.

“Motta is suspended and that will penalise us because De Rossi has hurt his hip. We have already lost Candreva,” said Italy coach Antonio Conte after Monday’s match.

“We will look at De Rossi in the coming hours but I can’t say yet what chances he has of recovering. 

“We are playing on Saturday so we have four days to recuperate. I want my players to be at 100 percent for the game because they will have to play at 120, 130 or 140 percent to beat Germany.”

“There are a lot of hurdles in our way but we know when the going gets tough we respond well.”

Antonio Candreva has missed Italy’s last two games due to a groin problem.