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BALOTELLI

Balotelli ruled out of Croatia qualifier

Italy striker Mario Balotelli has been ruled out of Sunday's Euro 2016 qualifier against Croatia due to concerns over his hamstring and groin, the Italian football federation (FIGC) confirmed Saturday.

Published: 16 November 2014 11:58 CET
Balotelli ruled out of Croatia qualifier
Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli is set to miss Italy's clash with Croatia. Photo: AFP

Balotelli had been called into the squad by coach Antonio Conte after being sidelined for Italy's opening three wins in Group H.

However the Liverpool striker has left Italy's Coverciano training camp after being diagnosed with a "hamstring strain and sore groin". Italy will also miss Juventus defender Angelo Ogbonna, who has a sore left thigh.

A statement from the FIGC said: "Mario Balotelli and Angelo Ogbonna will leave the National team training camp today (Saturday).

"Although Ogbonna's left thigh injury is improving, he has been advised to avoid stressing the injury as a precaution.

"It is the same scenario for the Liverpool striker (Balotelli), who since yesterday has felt a hamstring strain and a sore groin."

Italy sit second in Group H behind Croatia after three opening wins for each side but have not beaten the Croats in 72 years.

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FOOTBALL

Balotelli undergoes groin operation

AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli will undergo surgery in Munich on Wednesday on his troublesome groin injury, the Serie A club said in a statement.

Published: 18 November 2015 07:30 CET
Balotelli undergoes groin operation
Photo: Vincenzo Pinto/AFP

Balotelli, who has made only four appearances since re-joining Milan on loan from Liverpool earlier this season, has been sidelined for over a month with the problem and travelled to Denmark last week for a consultation with a leading specialist.

Reports in Italy suggest the striker could miss anywhere between six weeks and three months, harming his hopes of a recall to the Italy squad ahead of next summer's European Championships in France.

Balotelli has not played for Italy since their first-round exit from the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where he became a scapegoat for the Azzurri's generally poor performances.

However, the striker vowed to make a quick recovery, posting on his Instagram account: “I'll be back in my stadium to play, earlier than what you think!”