Serie A

Barzagli could return for Italy against Ireland

Finally some good news on the injury front for Inter  as it looks like injured defender Andrea Barzagli could be fit enough to play against the Republic of Ireland on Monday. The Juventus defender has been sidelined since June 1 with a calf injury.

Doctors expected Barzagli to miss the group stages of the European Championship but the 31-year-old is set to recover sooner than expected.

“Andrea is doing well and we are satisfied with his condition,” Italy team doctor Enrico Castellacci said to www.figc.it.

“He will not be ready for Thursday’s game (against Croatia) but we already knew that.

“Our aim is to have him fit in order to be available for selection for the (final Group C) game against Ireland.

“We hope we can do that as things are going better than planned.”

When Barzagli returns, will Italy return to a more traditional four man defence or will Cesare Prandelli continue with a three-man back-line trio of Daniele De Rossi flanked by Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini if Italy beats Croatia?