Sang Tan/Associated Press

Updates from Monday, June 2

Riccardo Montolivo is facing six months on the sidelines due to his fractured leg tibia, according to his surgeon Dr Herbert Schoenhuber.

ANSA reports the following quotes, per Eurosport and Football Italia:

Six months out? For this type of injury this is usually the time. Back in four to five months. No, I do not think so. And everything went well. In 40 days’ time we will do the assessments and then decide on what to do.

Original Text

Italy could be without one of its key contributors for the World Cup as Riccardo Montolivo picked up a nasty injury during a friendly against Ireland.

The 29-year-old midfielder was only able to play a few minutes before picking up an ankle injury, according to beIN Sports:

He needed to be stretchered off the pitch and was substituted out in the 16th minute for Alberto Aquilani.

Montolivo was not hopeful about his recovery, according to beIN Sports:

Giancarlo Rinaldo of Football Italia reports that the injury could be a bad one:

Video of the injury showed it didn't look good from the outset:

Football-Italia.net reported that Montolivo would miss the World Cup with the injury, per team trainer Enrico Castellacci:

Speaking to Italian television after the match, Enrico Castellacci confirmed the dreaded news that the 29-year-old will require surgery and will be out of action for two months. “He has a fracture of the tibia,” the medic said. “I’m waiting to see the radio graphical results before assessing everything, but more or less every tibia fracture needs surgery. “There will be no World Cup for Montolivo, I’m so sorry for the boy. He will probably need around two months out.”

The Milan captain was expected to play a vital role in the team's attack in Brazil. He is a creative player up front with the experience necessary to provide some leadership in the tough situation. This will be important in a group with Uruguay, England and Costa Rica.

Unfortunately, the ankle issue could end up costing him a chance to play in his second career World Cup.

On the other hand, this could provide an opportunity for other top players who otherwise would not have been on the team when the action started.

The good news for the Italians is that there is plenty of experience already on the roster between Andrea Pirlo, Daniele De Rossi and others. This core group will ensure that the squad remains a top contender throughout the World Cup.

All that matters now is making sure the rest of the team does not get hurt in the remaining friendlies.

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