Fit Barzagli stays with Italy
9 June 2012 05:44
Italy doctor Enrico Castellacci said Andrea Barzagli will be retained for Euro 2012, having made 'considerable' progress from injury.
The 31-year-old's involvement in the tournament had been in serious doubt after he picked up a calf strain which threatened to keep him on the sidelines for 20 days.
As a result, Davide Astori was asked to cut short his holiday in Miami and join up with the rest of the squad on stand-by, but the Cagliari defender has now been allowed to return home.
"After some medical tests, we have noticed a considerable improvement with regards to the injury," Castellacci told reporters.
"Because of this, coach Cesare Prandelli has decided to keep him on the team, in the hope that he will at least be able to play in the third group match (against Republic of Ireland).
Before the match against Ireland on June 18, Italy will tackle Spain on Saturday and Croatia four days later.
