ROME - Italy striker Mario Balotelli may miss a crucial Euro 2012 group phase tie against Ireland after suffering a knee injury that yesterday 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 today by team medical officer Enrico Castellacci.
Balotelli, 21, began training yesterday 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 Italys 1-1 draw against holders Spain, which opened Group C at the continental event being played in Poland and Ukraine.