Italy’s chief medic has revealed says they are ‘cautiously optimistic’ that Andrea Pirlo can recover from injury in time to face Spain on Thursday.
The playmaker skipped the Azzurri’s final Group A match of the Confederations Cup against Brazil on Saturday and was a doubt for the semi-final with La Roja after suffering a calf strain.
However, the Italians have been encouraged by Juventus man’s recent progress.
“We will keep working hard and we are cautiously optimistic,” Dr. Enrico Castellacci told reporters today.
“But in his case we have to evaluate day to day and if he does not play against Spain then it will only be decided at the last minute.
“Mario Balotelli cannot recover before the end of the tournament on Sunday. We have spoken with [Coach Cesare] Prandelli and the player will return to Milan for treatment by the medical department of his team.”
Balotelli commented in leaving Brazil that he ‘felt like a loser’ for not being able to stick around.