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Marchisio set to be fit for Northern Ireland match
Posted Sunday, October 09, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

MILAN (AP)—Claudio Marchisio is set to feature in Italy’s European Championship qualifier against Northern Ireland on Tuesday after medical tests revealed his injury is less serious than first feared.

Marchisio was forced off against Serbia on Friday with an ankle injury, but Italy team doctor Enrico Castellacci believes the Juventus midfielder will be fit for the Azzurri’s final qualifier in Pescara after his condition improved.

The ankle is getting better and the footballer will stay with us,” Castellacci said. “If no new problems come up I think Marchisio could be available.”

Marchisio scored in Italy’s 1-1 draw in Belgrade—his first goal for the Azzurri—before getting injured 20 minutes from time.

“In the past, injuries have conditioned my career. Now finally I’m better,” said Marchisio, who added his first goal sparked only one message.

“The only message I received was from Juve, but that was just to see what I had done to my ankle,” Marchisio said.

Strikers Mario Balotelli and Giampaolo Pazzini and fullback Domenico Criscito withdrew from the Italy squad last week with injuries.

Italy has already qualified for next year’s tournament as Group C winners.

 

Standings
    Rank Team W/D/L Pts

    Cities & Stadiums

    The Top 3 Teams of Previous Tournaments

    Year Winners Runner-up Third place
    2008SpainGermanyRussia / Turkey
    2004GreecePortugalNetherlands / Czech Republic
    2000FranceItalyNetherlands / Portugal
    1996GermanyCzech RepublicFrance / England
    1992DenmarkGermanyNetherlands / Sweden
    1988NetherlandsSoviet UnionItaly / West Germany
    1984FranceSpainDenmark / Portugal
    1980West GermanyBelgiumCzechoslovakia
    1976CzechoslovakiaWest GermanyNetherlands
    1972West GermanySoviet UnionBelgium
    1968ItalyYugoslaviaEngland
    1964SpainSoviet UnionHungary
    1960Soviet UnionYugoslaviaCzechoslovakia