Marco Veratti Doubtful to start for Italy in Euro 2021 due to knee injury

Marco Veratti’s participation in Euro 2020 for Italy is under the clouds now as he has been ruled out of Paris Saint-Germain’s remaining fixtures in the 2020-21 season due to a knee injury.

Veratti has missed 21 games for PSG this season already due to a combined result of positive coronavirus tests and injuries. Another injury ahead of the all important European Championships is the last thing he needed.

Euro 2020 is scheduled to start on June 11 with Italy taking on Turkey, but PSG have already announced that the midfielder will have to spend at least a month on the sidelines to recover from his injury. That means, he may not be available for Italy.

“Strained interior medial ligament of right knee. Expected to be out for 4-6 weeks, depending on response to treatment,” read a statement on PSG’s website regarding the extent of Veratti’s injury.

PSG have three fixtures lineup up next before the season ends. They play against Montpellier next in the semi-finals of the French Cup. That will be followed by a home fixture against Reims and a trip to Brest.

“He is very disappointed, we all are,” said PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino. “We are losing an important player for the rest of the season and the crucial matches.

“He is already thinking about recovering as quickly as possible. Let’s hope that he is back in time to participate in the Euro with his national team.”

The 28-year-old’s last appearance in a major tournament was in the 2014 World Cup. He didn’t get a chance to play in the 2018 edition as Italy didn’t even qualify for the event. Veratti had also missed Euro 2016 due to injury.

As far as this season goes, he has spent plenty of time on the sidelines. Once due to a thigh injury and again after he tested positive for coronavirus.