Barzagli blow for Italy

Italy defender Andrea Barzagli is a serious doubt for Euro 2012 with a calf problem, team doctor Enrico Castellacci has revealed.

The Juventus stopper, who played the entirety of Italy’s 3-0 defeat against Russia on Friday, has picked up a calf strain which may see him miss up to 20 days of action.

This means that Barzagli will most likely not be able to play at the Euros before the semi-finals, should Italy reach that stage of the tournament.

“We will try everything to recover Barzagli, he is worth it,” Castellacci told reporters. “And if it is not possible for him to to play in the group stage, we will try to get him available for the rest of the tournament.”

It is still unknown whether coach Cesare Prandelli will call up a replacement or keep the 31-year-old in the squad for the latter stages of the tournament, with a decision expected on Friday.

Inter defender Andrea Ranocchia is favoured to fill in for Barzagli after featuring in Italy’s provisional 25-man list for the Euros.

Barzagli, who has 29 Italy caps to his name, made 38 appearances for Juventus this season.