Leonardo Spinazzola

Bad news for Italy fans: The EM is over for Leonardo Spinazzola. The left-back is out for months.

The 28-year-old had to leave the field injured in the quarterfinals of the x: x against Belgium and shed bitter tears in the Munich Allianz Arena. Apparently he already suspected that he had suffered a serious injury. Now the diagnosis is there. Spinazzola suffered a rupture of the left Achilles tendon and was forced to take a month-long break.

The day after he was more composed and wrote to the fans: “I can only tell you that I'll be back soon. I'm sure of that.” He keeps his fingers crossed for his team-mates, who will meet Spain in the semi-finals on Tuesday: “Our shared dream will continue, nothing is impossible with this group.”

Italy team boss Roberto Mancini regrets the defensive player's end of the European Championship: “I'm very sorry for Leo, he didn't deserve it.” Emerson should take over the position for Spinazzola. He jumped into the breach in the match against Wales and in Belgium after the substitution.