Pirlo out of Italy's clash with Brazil

Rio de Janeiro, June 21 (IANS): Italy will be without influential midfielder Andrea Pirlo for their final Confederations Cup Group A clash against Brazil Saturday with a calf injury.

Results of a scan Thursday showed the 34-year-old damaged his right calf muscle during Italy’s 4-3 victory over Japan in Recife Wednesday, reports Xinhua.

Italy’s midfield has already been weakened by the suspension of Daniele De Rossi for Saturday’s match at Salvador’s Arena Fonte Nova.

“The scan showed there was no tear of the muscle fibre but there is a strain,” Italy team physician Enrico Castellacci said Thursday.

The injury casts doubt over Pirlo’s availability for the rest of the tournament, considered a warm up event for next year’s World Cup.

Castellacci said his future involvement depended on how well the 2006 World Cup winner responded to treatment.

Pirlo struggled to make an impact against Japan, three days after being named player of the match in Italy’s 2-1 victory over Mexico, his 100th cap for the Azzurri.