Villarreal CF will be without striker Giuseppe Rossi for the remainder of their UEFA Champions League group stage campaign after it was revealed the Italian international tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
The 24-year-old suffered the injury in the 60th minute of his team's 3-0 Liga reverse away to Real Madrid CF on Wednesday and, having undergone several tests since, it was announced that the forward would be sidelined for six months.
The news will come as a severe blow to Juan Carlos Garrido's side, who have lost their opening three UEFA Champions League Group A encounters against FC Bayern München, SSC Napoli and Manchester City FC. The Yellow Submarine host the English pacesetters on Wednesday while they are also striving to climb out of the Liga relegation zone having won just once in nine matches.
Italy coach Cesare Prandelli – for whom Rossi scored once in seven UEFA EURO 2012 qualifiers – will also be keenly monitoring the striker's recovery ahead of the Azzurri's participation in next summer's finals.
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