Italy's 3 injured players making progress
Associated Press Sports
updated 2:57 p.m. ET June 26, 2012
De Rossi has a problem with his sciatic nerve that is affecting his left foot, and left Sunday's penalty shootout win over England in the 80th minute.
Italy's football federation said later Tuesday that De Rossi would appear at a news conference the following day, a move that usually indicates a player will be used in the next game.
Abate has a muscle problem in his left leg and Chiellini has a left hamstring problem.
Abate's replacement Christian Maggio picked up a yellow card that rules him out of Thursday's match in Warsaw.
Italy required extra time and the shootout to beat England in the quarterfinals on Sunday and has two days' fewer rest than Germany entering the semifinals.
"There is a general state of fatigue in the squad," Castellacci said. "That's to be expected after the stress and emotion of the last few matches. We're doing everything possible to recuperate our energy."
? 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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