De Rossi will miss Malta match

According to the chief of the Italian medical staff Enrico Castellacci, Daniele De Rossi will miss Tuesday's match against Malta.

The game will certainly arouse a lot of interest among football enthusiasts, considering the strong support Italy enjoys in Malta.

This summer Azzurri fans in Malta cheered on their heroes as the the Italians reached the Euro 2012 final in Ukraine, where the Italians succumbed to a superior Spanish side.

The Azzurri yesterday lost De Rossi to a thigh injury during their game against Bulgaria.

"De Rossi had to stop because of a hamstring contracture and had to leave," Castellacci said. "He'll do some imaging tests and we need to deccide when to go to Rome. Clearly, this experience with the Azzurri is over for him."

The chief added that De Rossi will be assessed in Rome. However, this will be decided together with the player and coach Cesare Prandelli.

Castellacci inisted that the midfielder had a problem with his femoral biceps. However, the imaging studies will determine to what degree.

Armenia now lead Group B after their 1-0 win away to Malta, while Denmark will host the Czech Republic this evening.

Italy continue their campaign by welcoming Malta to Modena’s Stadio Braglia on Tuesday, but De Rossi will not be taking part.

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) said that in solidarity with those hit by the earthquake that struck Emilia Romagnia in May Tuesday's game will be played in Modena.

This will be Italy's first home match, valid for the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers and Malta's first away match after hosting Armenia in Ta' Qali.