Italy winger Leonardo Spinazzola is unlikely to play again for a number of months after reports that the devastating injury he suffered during Azzurri’s victory over Belgium in the Euro 2020 quarter-finals is a broken Achilles tendon.
An upset Spinazzola, who has been one of the players in the tournament so far, was stretched out at the end of the match in Munich. Not only will he not play again at Euro 2020, he will also miss a large part of the 2021/22 club season as he recovers.
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The damage can also cost Spinazzola an attentive summer transition. He has been a Roma player since 2019 but Real Madrid, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Tottenham have all been linked to an approach since Euro 2020 began last month.
Leonardo Spinazzola broke his Achilles tendon, @SkySport just reported. He will be out for many months. One of the best players in the euro so far. ?? #Spinazzola pic.twitter.com/kWQ6VPfetm
– Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 2, 2021
Few if any clubs would play on a player who is recovering from what appears to be a long-term injury, especially in the current climate when the economy of the football world is tight.
Italy advanced to the semifinals thanks to the victory over Belgium and Spinazzola’s teammates chanted his name during their flight from Munich.
Italy have come a long way since they did not qualify for the 2018 World Cup and Roberto Mancini’s team will now face Spain at Wembley for a place in their first tournament final since 2012. The semi-final itself is actually a repeat of the European Championship 2012 final.
The team’s tribute to #Spinazzola on the plane home ??? #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/GVrkrDVktI
– Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@azzurri) July 3, 2021
Spain barely emerged victorious over Switzerland and won a penalty shootout after the match ended 1-1 in normal time and an extra half hour still could not separate the sides.
Either a draw between Italy and Spain goes on to the final and meets one of England, Ukraine, Denmark or the Czech Republic – who all do not yet play their quarter-final matches.
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