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‘We hope its nothing serious’ – Italy sweating on fitness of captain Chiellini

Giorgio Chiellini - Italy
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The veteran center-back was forced off the pitch within just the first half-an-hour of the match against Switzerland on Wednesday.

Roberto Mancini failed to comment on the nature or extent of Giorgio Chiellini’s injury but hopes its “nothing serious.”

Chiellini, minutes after seeing his goal ruled out for handball, signaled to the sidelines that he needed to come off during Italy’s second Euro 2020 match against Switzerland.

The 36-year-old appeared to have pulled a flexor muscle in his left thigh and is now set to undergo testing on Thursday.

“We’ll see tomorrow and hope it’s nothing serious,” Mancini told RAI Sport post-match on the Juventus defender’s injury.

The captain’s tragedy, though, hardly had any effect on Italy, who went on to beat Switzerland 3-0 – a win that guaranteed them a place in the knockout stages of Euro 2020.

Mario Locatelli bagged a brace while Ciro Immobile also got on the scoresheet late on as the Azzurri extended their remarkable unbeaten run to 29 matches across all competitions.

Chiellini said via a Twitter post after the match: “Nothing can tarnish such a great joy.

“We are in the second round! Go on like this!”

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