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Swiss lose Benaglio to back problem

Goalkeeper Diego Benaglio has ruled himself out of Switzerland's upcoming UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier against Bulgaria with a back problem, explaining: "I cannot help the team in this state."

Diego Benaglio will not feature in Switzerland's crucial qualifier in Sofia
Diego Benaglio will not feature in Switzerland's crucial qualifier in Sofia ©Getty Images

Goalkeeper Diego Benaglio will miss Switzerland's UEFA EURO 2012 Group G qualifier in Bulgaria due to a persistent back problem.

The 27-year-old VfL Wolfsburg player has been suffering from swelling in his lower back for several weeks, and though he featured in two recent Bundesliga games, he has told national-team coach Ottmar Hitzfeld he has no chance of featuring in Sofia on 26 March. "Unfortunately my injury has got worse," Benaglio, capped 34 times, explained. "I cannot help the team in this state."

With only three points from their opening three qualifiers, Switzerland already face an uphill task to qualify for the finals in Poland and Ukraine.

 

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