Di Biagio - suffered calf injury (Allsport).
DI BIAGIO FACING CUP KO
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Italy will have to get to the final if Luigi Di Biagio is to play any more of a
part in this World Cup.
The midfielder strained his calf in a closed training session on Monday, adding
to Giovanni Trapattoni's injury woes for the crucial clash with Mexico.
Team doctor Andrea Ferretti said: "He is definitely out of the match. It is a
serious calf strain and it will take 15 days to recover from."
Cristiano Zanetti - Di Biagio's likely replacement - and Alessandro Nesta are
already struggling with foot injuries for Thursday's encounter, which Italy must
win to guarantee their qualification for the next round.
Like Zanetti, defender Christian Panucci took part in the warm-up but sat out a
practice match at their training camp in Sendai.
Azzurri captain Paolo Maldini also missed training, raising speculation that he
was hiding an injury.
But Ferretti said: "Maldini and Panucci are no problem, while Zanetti is
recovering well and I believe he will be available to the coach."
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