The injury bug has hit the World Cup hard with a few days left before the group stages. Four key players have gone down in friendly games or practices. Only two are expected to return but each of their respective teams will surely be hurting without them.
Andrea Pirlo is an important part of Italy’s midfield. He will be out for the first game against Paraguay because of a calf injury. He won the World Cup with Italy in 2006 and is expected to be out 15-20 days. Pirlo went back to Milan for treatment after he went down against the 2-1 friendly loss to Mexico. He may not recover in time for Italy’s other group games against New Zealand on June 20 and Slovakia on June 24.
Ivory Coast star Didier Drogba broke his arm against Japan in a friendly game in Switzerland. Drogba scored 15 minutes into the game on a free kick from an own-goal by Tanaka. But, Drogba got tangled with Tanaka soon after in an ugly takedown. The Chelsea striker had surgery and is expected to be back in 10 days.
Rio Ferdinand didn’t last one full practice in South Africa. The England star defender and captain suffered a knee injury after coming in contact with Emile Heskey and is out for the entire World Cup. He has been replaced by Tottenham’s Michael Dawson and Steven Gerrard is the new captain. Ferdinand was taken to the hospital following the injury, as England skipper Fabio Capello loses half of his central defense. Capello said it wasn’t the quality of the pitch but just an unfortunate, accidental injury.
Nigeria’s John Obi Mikel was recovering from a knee injury that made him miss the end of the regular season with Chelsea. The midfielder suffered an ankle injury during practice and will not play at all in the World Cup. The practice was his first full contact in a long time since the knee injury. He is replaced by Sochaux’s Brown Ideye. Obi Mikel is the fourth Chelsea player to go down after Ghana’s Mikael Essien, Germany’s Michael Ballack and Drogba.
Italy vs. Paraguay Match Odds
Italy: 2.03 Titan Bet
Draw: 3.29 Titan Bet
Paraguay: 10/3 Eurobet
Ivory Coast vs. Portugal Match Odds
Ivory Coast: 3.61 Titan Bet
Draw: 3.31 Titan Bet
Portugal: 6/5 Ladbrokes
Argentina vs. Nigeria Match Odds
Argentina: 1/2 Ladbrokes
Draw: 4.63 Titan Bet
Nigeria: 15/2 Eurobet