Prandelli faced with task to lift Italy’s spirits

Montolivo’s injury rules him out of World Cup after draw against Ireland.

LONDON: Italy manager Cesare Prandelli admits he faces a huge task to lift his shattered players in time for the World Cup after Riccardo Montolivo was ruled out of the tournament with a devastating broken leg.

AC Milan midfielder Montolivo suffered a fractured left leg in a challenge with Republic of Ireland defender Alex Pearce early in the first half of Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Fulham’s Craven Cottage.

The 29-year-old was rushed to hospital for scans that confirmed he would play no part in Brazil and he is expected to be flown to Milan for surgery on Sunday.

Prandelli’s players were visibly shocked by their teammate’s cruel exit and struggled to establish any momentum for long periods of a stalemate that extended their winless run to six matches.

There were emotional scenes in the dressing room after the final whistle as they came to terms with the extent of Montolivo’s injury and Prandelli knows it is essential to try to heal the psychological wounds as soon as possible.

“First all our thoughts are with Riccardo,” he said. “We have to be rational. After what happened everyone got distracted. It is too emotional now.

“We saw the players inside. Everyone is broken and really sad about what happened.

“Montolivo is a key player for this squad.”

To make matters worse, Prandelli also saw midfielder Alberto Aquilani, who had come on for Montolivo, forced off with an injury before half-time.

In Rotterdam, Holland continued their build-up to the finals with a 1-0 win over fellow Brazil-bound Ghana, Manchester United striker Robin van Persie’s fifth minute goal proving decisive.

Dutch coach Louis van Gaal, who takes over at Manchester United after the World Cup, said: “We created quite a few chances even if the game wasn’t of great quality.

“I’m very happy with the way my new [5-3-2] system worked. For sure it’s not attractive as the old system of 4-3-3; you shouldn’t wait for a great show with 5-3-2.

“But up against Ghana, which is a great side, this system worked really well.”

In Lisbon, Portugal, without injured star striker Cristiano Ronaldo (thigh), Pepe and Raul Meireles, played out a goalless draw with Greece.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 2^nd, 2014.

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