TWO OF Giovanni Trapattoni’s Euro 2012 rivals have suffered fresh injury blows ahead of the tournament with Casare Prandelli losing Juventus defender Andrea Barzagli for at least the group stage while Croatia boss Slaven Bilic will now be without Bayern Munich striker Ivica Olic.
Both men are suffering from thigh problems picked up in weekend friendlies against Russia and Norway respectively.
The Italians, who already have concerns about Giorgio Chiellini, haven’t yet decided whether to give up on Barzagli but Bilic has call-up former Blackburn Rovers striker Nikola Kalinic as a replacement for Olic.
Striker Mario Balotelli also quit training early yesterday with what reports said was a knee or thigh problem which needed examining.
The news is just the latest in a succession of blows for Prandelli whose preparations last week were almost completely overshadowed by the investigation into match fixing. In the game against Russia the coach sought to look at some alternatives in defence and actually started with three at the back, but his options have now been narrowed for the games against Spain, Croatia and the Republic of Ireland.
The loss of Olic will deprive Bilic, who was at last night’s game in Budapest, of one of his most experienced players.
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