Balotelli to possibly miss Ireland tie
Italy striker Mario Balotelli may miss a crucial Euro 2012 group phase tie against Ireland after suffering a knee injury that Saturday forced him to abandon a training session.
The Italian football federation (FIGC) said that the Manchester City forward suffered "a light injury in his right knee. The player will be tested Sunday by team medical officer Enrico Castellacci."
Balotelli, 21, began training Saturday at the Azzurri camp in Krakow, Poland, with a bandage on his knee and was seen holding an ice bag on his joint on Friday, when the squad rested after a 1-1 draw with Croatia. He underwent meniscus surgery on the same knee in 2010.
The striker failed to convince in Italy's 1-1 draw against holders Spain last Sunday, which opened Group C at the continental event being played in Poland and Ukraine.
He was substituted in the second half of both games by veteran Antonio Di Natale, who was on target against Spain and is likely to play upfront with Antonio Cassano Monday against Ireland.
Italy need to win the closing game of the group phase to advance to the quarterfinals. A win, however, could be useless in case of a draw between Spain and Croatia.
