Italy’s Scalvini To Miss Euro 2024 After Tearing ACL In Left Knee

Italian media reported on Sunday that the Italy defender, Giorgio Scalvini, will be sidelined for the upcoming European Championship due to a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Giorgio Scalvini sustained the injury while playing for Atalanta in their 3-2 home defeat to Fiorentina on Sunday. The match, Atalanta’s postponed final game of the season, took place a week after the conclusion of the 2023-24 Serie A season for the other clubs.

The 20-year-old was substituted in the 84th minute and, showing signs of discomfort, exited the field with a limp, assisted by two medical staff members.

Scalvini sustained the knee injury while trying to make a tackle and promptly collapsed to the ground.

Italian media reported that Scalvini was taken to the hospital, where the first tests revealed a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament. Further assessments will be conducted in the upcoming days.

Atalanta coach, Gian Piero Gasperini, confirmed during the post-match press conference that Scalvini was promptly sent for an MRI examination.

“Let’s hope it’s not the worst thing, clearly the cruciate ligament. The dynamics of the injury aren’t the best,” he said.

The duration of Scalvini’s absence has not been officially confirmed by either the club or the Italy national team.

Italian media indicated that Juventus defender Federico Gatti is a likely candidate to fill in for Scalvini, who was set to be the youngest player in Luciano Spalletti’s squad.

Scalvini’s injury follows Inter Milan defender Francesco Acerbi’s withdrawal from Italy’s 30-man preliminary squad on Thursday due to groin discomfort.

Italy started their Euro 2024 campaign with a match against Albania on June 15, followed by a game against Spain on June 20, and another against Croatia four days later.