Bernardeschi blow for Fiorentina
Monday, November 3, 2014
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ACF Fiorentina's Italy U21 forward Federico Bernardeschi is expected to be out of action until well into 2015 after he fractured a bone in his left ankle in training.
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ACF Fiorentina and Italy Under-21 forward Federico Bernardeschi is set for a long spell on the sidelines after fracturing a bone in his left ankle in training.
The 20-year-old, who has scored twice in three UEFA Europa League outings with the Viola this season, will undergo surgery tomorrow, with the attacker expected to be out of action for at least three months. A key figure in Luigi Di Biagio's Italy Under-21 side since earning his first cap in March, Bernardeschi struck for the Azzurrini in their play-off victory against Slovakia which sealed a place in Thursday's draw for next summer's finals in the Czech Republic.
Fiorentina have taken nine points from three Group K games but have been unlucky with injuries up front this term. Giuseppe Rossi is still unavailable after suffering a knee injury in September; Mario Gomez has only just returned from a thigh strain sustained in the same month.
Vincenzo Montella's team host PAOK FC on Thursday knowing a win would guarantee them progress to the UEFA Europa League round of 32.
