Milan - The Italian squad faces an uphill start to their Euro 2008 campaign after losing their captain Fabio Cannavaro to an ankle injury suffered during a training session.
A clash with defence team mate Giorgio Chiellini ended Euro 2008 before it began for the 34-year-old Real Madrid defender, who was set to leave the world champions' camp outside Vienna on Tuesday.
As Italy gear up for a debut game against the Netherlands on Monday, coach Roberto Donadoni has already called Fiorentina's Alessandro Gamberini to join the 23-man line-up.
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is to be the new captain, while two among Marco Materazzi, Christian Panucci, Andrea Barzagli and Chiellini will make up the core of Italy's defence package.
"I am an optimist, even in moments like this," Cannavaro said, explaining he had "hit half the ball and half the ground, getting (my foot) stuck" when he and Chiellini clashed.
The result was a blow to his calf and a sudden twist that damaged the ligaments in his left ankle. Exams in a Vienna hospital showed no fracture, but it was unclear Tuesday if the ankle had to be operated on.
In 2006, Cannavaro won the Golden Ball and the FIFA World Player awards after being crucial for Italy as it won its fourth World Cup in Germany.
His absence has raised concerns about the reliability of Italy's defence, which lately seemed to have lost its trademark solidity.
La Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper noted that Italy has always conceded at least one goal in its last five outings, a far cry from the two goals conceded during the World Cup, which were an own goal and a spot kick.
Italy faces a tough start in Group C against the Netherlands, Romania and France, but is among the favourites to win the tournament jointly hosted by Austria and Switzerland.
They last won the continental crown in 1968 and look to clinch a prestigious double in the wake of the World Cup triumph. (dpa)
Similar
US News
- Sun Pharma Gets FDA Nod To Sell Nasal Spray Astelin In US Market
- Bharti Airtel Gets Hold Of 49% Stake In Qualcomm India broadband
- Facebook IPO issue must be reviewed, says U.S. financial regulators
- Brooklyn to investigate witness intimidation in abuse cases
- Sun Pharma, Dr Reddy's & Aurobindo Get USFDA Authorization To Market Generic Cardiac Drug
Belgrade, May 29 : Serbian midfielder Adem Ljajic has been suspended from the national team for refusing to sing the national anthem before his country's friendly against Spain, the Serbian Football Federation announced. 
Rome, May 28 : The captain of the Italian football club Lazio has been arrested amid investigations in connection to match-fixing scandal. 
London, May 28 : Former England cricketer Adam Hollioake has revealed that his friends and family were surprised when he chose the gentleman's game over rugby and boxing as his profession. 
Islamabad, May 28 : Pakistan cricketer Wajahatullah Wasti has said the Twenty20 format has caused a lot of damage to the techniques of opening batsmen. 
Sydney, May 18 : Australian professional motorcycle racer, two-time MotoGP world champion, Casey Stoner, announced that he will retire from Grand Prix racing at the 
Pune, April 30 - Veer Patel of Baroda steered his Honda CRF 250 with much panache to clinch the title in the showpiece Foreign Open class ahead of defending champion Aravind KP in the 2012 National Supercross championship here.