Villarreal shorn of Rossi for six months
Thursday, October 27, 2011
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Villarreal CF have been dealt a major blow as they attempt to revive their UEFA Champions League campaign after Giuseppe Rossi was ruled out for six months with a knee injury.
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Villarreal CF will be without striker Giuseppe Rossi for the remainder of their UEFA Champions League group stage campaign after it was revealed the Italian international tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
The 24-year-old suffered the injury after an hour of Villarreal's 3-0 Liga reverse at Real Madrid CF on Wednesday and, with the forward having undergone several tests since, it was announced he would be sidelined for six months.
The news comes as a severe blow to Juan Carlos Garrido's side, who have lost their opening three UEFA Champions League Group A games, against FC Bayern München, SSC Napoli and Manchester City FC. The Yellow Submarine host the English club on Wednesday. Villarreal are also striving to climb out of the Liga relegation zone having won just once in nine matches.
Italy coach Cesare Prandelli – for whom Rossi scored once in seven UEFA EURO 2012 qualifiers – will also be monitoring the striker's recovery ahead of the Azzurri's participation in next summer's finals.
