Achilles Tendon Injury, Leonardo Spinazzola Forced Out For Several Months

Leonardo Spinazzola, pictured with his family with his injured leg. (photo: instagram @spina_leo Verified)

JAKARTA – The injury suffered by the Italian national team defender, Leonardo Spinazzola during the match against Belgium, Friday 2 July, in the quarter-finals of Euro 2020, has a long tail. The AS Roma defender was forced to miss "for several months". This condition makes the new AS Roma coach, Jose Mourinho, have to think about finding a replacement.

Italian media reports said the full-back had an Achilles tendon injury. He is also confirmed to miss the rest of the Euro 2020 competition.

Spinazzola has been an important player in Italy's success in advancing to the last four. The position of the 28-year-old player is likely to be replaced by Chelsea full-back, Emerson Palmieri.

Roberto Mancini's Italian national team will face Spain in the Euro 2020 semifinals on Wednesday morning, western Indonesia time (7/7).

"We are all saddened by the loss of Spinazzola for a few months, but that is football and we have to be ready to start (pre-season) next week," Mourinho said on his Instagram account quoted by Reuters on Sunday.

The player took to Instagram to say that he hopes to return soon, without giving details of his injury.

"Unfortunately we all know what happened, but our Italian dream continues and with our incredible squad nothing is impossible," Spinazzola said.

"I can only say that I will be back soon - you can be sure of that."