Despite dropping their last game in the 2013 Confederations Cup to Brazil, Italy did enough to advance to the tournament's semifinal round. With back-to-back victories over Mexico and Japan to open the tournament, Italy dropped a tough match to Brazil 4-2. A contest that was closer than the two-goal deficit indicates, Italy is considered a team fully capable of making a run toward the CONFED Cup championship. Although they enjoyed success in the tournament's first round, the Italians run to a possible title may have taken a hit as word broke that they'll be without their top scorer for their upcoming semifinal match.
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Set to take on defending World Cup champion Spain in the next round, Italy will be without premier goal scorer and AC Milan superstar Mario Balotelli. According to ESPNFC, Balotelli will not be available for the upcoming semi against the world power because of a strained thigh. Suffering the injury in the loss to an extremely talented Brazilian squad, the Italian Football Federation notes that the 22-year-old will continue to be monitored as the team hopes to have him for either the championship match or third place game on June 30th.
"The examinations carried out Sunday in Fortaleza on Mario Balotelli showed a grade-one tear in the quadriceps muscle of the left leg," the FIGC said. "The player will not be available for the semi-final against Spain on Thursday, June 27 and in the coming days his condition will be evaluated for the match on the 30th."
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With 2 goals and an assist in 3 Confederations Cup appearances, Balotelli continues to impress on multiple levels. Notching 12 goals in 13 appearances with Milan since joining the club earlier this year, the Palermo native remains one of the most consistent and productive players in the game. An international star as well, Mario Balotelli has a total of 10 goals in 25 appearances with his national team since joining the squad in 2010.
The absence of Balotelli against a loaded Spanish team will put added weight on multiple Italian players. Veteran Andrea Pirlo - who continues to play phenomenal soccer at the age of 34 - will surely be looked upon for added offense. Recording a goal in a 2-1 victory over Mexico earlier in the tournament, Pirlo along with Sebastian Giovinco and Danilele De Rossi undoubtedly possess the ability to record goals but without their premier threat, the task of scoring on a consistent basis may become harder since Spain will not have to focus on one primary player and will be able to split their defensive coverage's based on Italy's changes.
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De Rossi and Giovinvo both scored in a 4-3 victory over Japan last week while Emanuele Giaccherini and Giorgio Chiellini scored the only goals in the recent 4-2 loss to Brazil.
Italy and Spain are set to meet on Thursday, June 27th while Brazil and Uruguay will match up in the other semifinal on Wednesday, June 26th.
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