Spinazzola’s ‘serious’ injury sours Italy celebrations

Down and out: Injured Italy defender Leonardo Spinazzola is stretchered off the pitch. — AFP

MUNICH: Italy’s delight at reaching the Euro 2020 semi-finals with Friday’s 2-1 win over Belgium was soured by a serious injury to leftback Leonardo Spinazzola who was taken off on a stretcher in the second half and is expected to be out of the tournament.

Italian media reports said AS Roma defender Spinazzola, who has been fundamental to the Azzurri’s impressive run to the last four, had a suspected ruptured Achilles tendon injury, which would likely sideline him for months.