Verratti to have surgery and miss EURO 2016
Saturday, May 7, 2016
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Already denied Claudio Marchisio due to injury, Italy coach Antonio Conte will also be without Marco Verratti for UEFA EURO 2016 as the Paris midfielder will undergo groin surgery.
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Italy coach Antonio Conte has been dealt another blow with the news that Marco Verratti has been ruled out of UEFA EURO 2016 due to a persistent groin problem.
"In agreement with Paris Saint-Germain," a club statement reads, "Marco Verratti has decided to undergo surgery to heal the groin problem that he has been suffering from for several weeks. The operation will take place in Doha on 16 May and the midfielder is expected to be sidelined for eight weeks.
"As a result, Marco Verratti will play no part in Paris Saint-Germain's final matches of the season or EURO 2016. Paris Saint-Germain wishes the player a speedy recovery and hopes he will soon be fully fit and back to his best for both club and country."
Conte is already without Claudio Marchisio, another certain starter in the Azzurri midfield in France this summer.
With Marco Parolo, Antonio Candreva, Thiago Motta, Alessandro Florenzi and Emanuele Giaccherini all expected to make the squad, Conte now has to decide who else to include. He will name his provisional squad on 23 May and could opt for veterans such as Andrea Pirlo, Riccardo Montolivo or Daniele De Rossi. Alternatively, there are less experienced options such as Roberto Soriano, Federico Bernardeschi and Jorginho, while the uncapped duo of Daniele Baselli and Stefano Sturaro have also been mooted.
"Until the very end I hoped I could play in such an important competition," said Verratti on his Instagram account. "I wanted to help my team-mates to reach the objectives we set. Unfortunately I have not managed it as I will have to undergo surgery. I wish my team-mates good luck and hope it will be a magical summer for all Italians."