Italy Defender Giorgio Scalvini to Miss European Championship Due to ACL Injury

Italy’s hopes for the upcoming European Championship have taken a significant hit as defender Giorgio Scalvini is set to miss the tournament after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee. The injury occurred during Atalanta’s 3-2 home loss to Fiorentina on Sunday, a match postponed from the previous week after the conclusion of the 2023-24 Serie A season.

Scalvini sustained the injury while attempting a tackle, immediately collapsing to the ground. He was promptly taken to the hospital, where initial tests confirmed a ruptured ACL. Atalanta’s coach, Gian Piero Gasperini, expressed concerns during the post-match press conference, stating, “Let’s hope it’s not the worst thing, clearly the cruciate ligament. The dynamics of the injury aren’t the best.”

Further evaluations are expected in the coming days to determine the full extent of the injury and the recovery timeline. Neither Atalanta nor the Italian national team has provided an official estimate of how long Scalvini will be sidelined.

Scalvini’s absence is a significant blow for Italy, especially considering his potential to be the youngest player in Luciano Spalletti’s squad for the European Championship. His defensive prowess and versatility were seen as vital components for Italy’s campaign. 

This injury compounds Italy’s defensive woes, following Inter Milan defender Francesco Acerbi’s withdrawal from the preliminary 30-man squad due to groin pain. The Italian defense now faces the challenge of restructuring ahead of their first match.

Italian media have reported that Juventus defender Federico Gatti is the likely candidate to replace Scalvini. Gatti’s inclusion would aim to fill the gap left by Scalvini, bringing experience and stability to the backline as Italy prepares for a challenging Euro 2024 schedule.

Italy kicks off its Euro 2024 campaign on June 15 against Albania. This will be followed by matches against Spain on June 20 and Croatia on June 24. The Italian team will need to quickly adapt to these setbacks and finalize their squad composition to ensure a competitive edge.