Alan Shearer believes Leonardo Spinazzola’s injury during Italy’s Euro 2020 win over Belgium is a ‘massive blow’ while Gary Lineker leads sympathy messages towards Azzurri left-back who has been hailed as one of the ‘best players of the tournament’
- Leonardo Spinazzola was stretchered off in tears during Italy’s win over Belgium
- Roberto Mancini’s men beat the Euro 2020 heavyweights to move to the last four
- Spinazzola, who made a goalline clearance in the tie, pulled up with a late blow
- The left-back is now a serious doubt for Italy’s Euro 2020 semi-final with Spain
- Alan Shearer claims the loss could be a ‘massive blow’ to Mancini’s chances
- Find out the latest Euro 2020 news including fixtures, live action and results here
Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker led the sympathy messages to Italy defender Leonardo Spinazzola, who was stretchered off in tears towards the end of the Azzurri’s Euro 2020 quarter-final win over Belgium.
Roberto Mancini’s men reached the semi-final of the European Championships via a 2-1 victory but at a major cost – with the left-back pulling up in the final stages of the game.
The 28-year-old, who had earlier made a goal-line clearance to deny Romelu Lukaku giving Belgium an equaliser, was crying due to the impact the setback may have on his chances of featuring in the semi-final and potential final.
Italy defender Leonardo Spinazzola was in tears whilst being stretchered off against Belgium
The Italy defender pulled up late on in the Euro 2020 quarter-final victory on Friday night
Former England striker Shearer praised Spinazzola for his performances so far this summer but admitted the left-back’s potential absence would be a ‘massive blow’.
The pundit told BBC Sport: ‘He has absolutely (been one of the players of the tournament). That’s a massive blow for the Italians.
‘We’ve highlighted him before and after games as he brings so much energy and brings so much to that Italy team defensively, as you saw with the goal-line clearance and also offering a threat the other end.’
Meanwhile, BBC Match of the Day host Lineker tweeted: ‘Such a shame for Spinazzola. He’s been one of the player’s (sic) one of the tournament.’
Alan Shearer claimed the potential loss of the left-back is a ‘massive blow’ to Italy’s chances
The 28-year-old left-back has been a standout star but could miss the rest of the tournament
Italy started the game brightly with Giorgio Chiellini having a goal disallowed by VAR for offside, but Mancini’s men marched into a two-goal lead thanks to brilliant strikes from Nicolo Barella and Lorenzo Insigne.
Romelu Lukaku scored a penalty in first-half stoppage time to pull one back for Belgium and the Red Devils striker was only denied a close-range second by the outstretched leg of Spinazzola on the goalline.
Italy will now face Spain in Tuesday’s semi-final at Wembley, with Luis Enrique’s side coming through against Switzerland earlier on Friday via a penalty shootout.
But the Azzurri may be without left-back Spinazzola for the last four clash, and supporters took to social media to rue the left-back’s injury.
One supporter tweeted: ‘Big injury for Italy there he’s been best player in the #Euros2020 so far #spinnazzola
Another posted: ‘You hate to see that injury Spinnazzola. He has had an incredible tournament.
Meanwhile, a fan said: ‘There goes the player of the tournament, what a massive loss he will be’ while several fans admitted to being ‘heartbroken’ for the Italian defender.