Balotelli bothered by thigh injury

Balotelli bothered by thigh injury

Published Jun. 5, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

Mario Balotelli still appears to be affected by a right thigh muscle problem and worked out only mildly in Italy's final training session before flying to Poland on Tuesday for the European Championship.

The Manchester City forward only joined his Azzurri teammates for the second half of training.

Meanwhile, there was still no word on whether Italy coach Cesare Prandelli would replace center back Andrea Barzagli, who strained his left calf in Friday's 3-0 friendly loss to Russia and could be sidelined for 20 days.

Italy can make changes up to 24 hours before its opener against Spain on Sunday.

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Cagliari defender Davide Astori, part of Prandelli's provisional 32-man squad, has been alerted that he might need to replace Barzagli.

Later Tuesday, Italy was flying to its training base in Krakow.


 

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