Italy’s Daniele De Rossi has described today as a sad day for the Azzurri in the wake of Riccardo Montolivo’s injury.
Italy’s Daniele De Rossi has described today as a sad day for the Azzurri in the wake of Riccardo Montolivo’s injury.
The Milan midfielder suffered a fractured tibia during last night’s goalless friendly draw with Republic of Ireland and will now miss the World Cup in Brazil this summer.
Speaking at a Press conference back at the Azzurri’s Coverciano training base, the Roma man described Montolivo’s misfortune as a cruel twist of fate.
“Today is a sad day,” De Rossi told the media. “In the world of football there is nothing worse than an injury, especially just before a tournament you’ve been waiting for for so many years. To lose someone like Montolivo, one of the older, more historic players, really is a blow.
“Riccardo is always a very positive and correct guy and that makes you even more sorry for him.
“We spoke yesterday evening and he’s not feeling good. He’s feeling how I would be if something like this had happened to me. It means you have to talk about the World Cup as being four years away again.
“Four days before leaving for Brazil, an injury of this type makes a mockery even of a twist of fate.”