Conte blow for Italians

Conte celebrates his goal against Turkey

If Italy are to progress to the final of Euro 2000 then they will have to do it without Antonio Conte and possibly also Paolo Maldini.

Juventus midfielder Conte ruptured ligaments in his right ankle following a reckless challenge by Romania's Gheorghe Hagi during Italy 2-0 quarter-final victory on Saturday.

Team doctor Andrea Ferretti said on Sunday: "He has suffered a third grade injury to the anterior ligaments on his right ankle.

"It means he's out of the rest of the tournament. He had a magnetic resonance test in hospital this morning."

Maldini is struggling with a thigh injury

Hagi's challenge saw Conte leave the field on a stretcher but Ferretti did point out that the Romanian, who was later sent off, went into the Italian dressing room after the game to apologise.

Conte was replaced by Luigi di Biagio and the Inter Milan player is the likely deputy for the rest of the tournament.

Skipper Maldini was withdrawn from the action at half-time after injuring a left thigh muscle.

Ferretti had not had the opportunity to speak to Maldini after Saturday's game but he said it was possible that the Milan defender would recover in time for Thursday's semi-final.

Gianluca Pessotto of Juventus stands by if Maldini does not recover after he replaced the skipper at the break on Saturday.