Italy stars give injured Leonardo Spinazzola a hero’s reception as the Roma defender heads for surgery after suffering potential Achilles rupture in huge quarter-final win over Belgium
Italy players gave Leonardo Spinazzola a special reception at their training base on Saturday, after he sustained a serious injury during their 2-1 victory over Belgium.
The Roma wing back has been one of the stars of the European Championships so far, playing a vital part in Roberto Mancini’s free-flowing Italian team.
However, he is set to face several months on the sidelines after suffering a suspected ruptured Achilles tendon in the enthralling quarter-final win against Belgium.
Leonardo Spinazzola is set to leave Italy’s training base and is expected to undergo surgery
Spinazzola was given a round of applause by his team-mates as he said his goodbyes
The 28-year-old is set to leave Italy’s training base to undergo surgery and he received a round of applause from his fellow team-mates on Saturday.
Spinazzola, who was seen on crutches, greeted his team-mates just as they were having a meal, and several players got off their chairs to give their injured team-mate a hug.
Manager Roberto Mancini was the last to give Spinazzola a hug and he said something in his player’s ear.
Spinazzola could face months on the sidelines after his injury against Belgium in Munich
It has been reported that the 28-year-old ruptured his Achilles tendon in the game
Furthermore, a video was posted on social media on Friday night of the the team chanting Spinazzola’s name on the plane back from Munich where the game took place.
The players were seen banging on the overhead baggage carriers and on the ceiling of the plane chanting ‘Spina’.
Sky Sports Italia, as per Football Italia, reported that the 28-year-old ruptured his Achilles tendon and faces ‘months’ on the sidelines in a blow for his country as well as potentially his club.
Roberto Mancini gave Spinazzola a hug and had a brief word with the wing back on Saturday
Spinazzola had not long before his injury kept Italy ahead, when he stopped Romelu Lukaku from making it 2-2 in the second half.
However, he pulled up while running minutes later, immediately signalling to the bench that he needed to be substituted.
He collapsed to the ground and covered his face in tears, before he was taken off on a stretcher at the Allianz Arena.
Italian players chanted Spinazzola’s name back on the plane from Munich after the game
‘He didn’t deserve that, he has been one of the best players of this tournament and he will still be even if he can’t play in the next games,’ Italy manager Mancini told a news conference after Friday’s full-time whistle.
‘We are very, very sad with what has happened… it seems quite a serious one.’
Spinazzola was replaced by Emerson Palmieri, who is likely to take his spot for Tuesday’s semi-final against Spain at Wembley.
Italy striker Lorenzo Insigne also admitted the players were saddened by the injury to their team mate and are now determined to try and win the tournament for him.
‘Its a great loss, we will try to go all the way above all for him,’ Insigne said. ‘Up to today he has been such a key player, an influential player for us.
Spinazzola has been one of the stars of the European Championships for Italy