Ireland's group opponents Italy are currently in the process of losing vast swathes of their starting XI ahead of the European Championships. Antonio Conte has already lost two-thirds of his starting midfield, as Marco Veratti and Claudio Marchisio will both miss the competition through injury. Those worries have increased today, as Matteo Darmian has been stretchered off in the first-half of Manchester United's game at Norwich City.
Darmian is Italy's preferred left-back in a back four that also features the adamantine trio of Barzagli, Bonnucci, and Chiellini. However, a serious-looking injury sustained at Carrow Road this afternoon means that the defender will face a race against time to be fit for France.
Damian getting stretchered off @DarmianOfficial pic.twitter.com/ZNR52Q6iSO
— Peter Bolton 🇾🇪 (@PeterBolton3) May 7, 2016
Matteo Darmian stretchered off for Man Utd. Italy's Euro 2016 curse continues... #mufc
— footballitalia (@footballitalia) May 7, 2016
Anthony Martial pulls out, Matteo Darmian on a stretcher....LVG's stunningly bad record (or bad luck?) with injuries continues #MUFC
— Kevin Palmer (@RealKevinPalmer) May 7, 2016
Poor Conte can't catch a break.
