“It was a real freak injury because the training session hadn’t even properly started. He was just doing some warm-up exercises when he sprained his knee. The player underwent an MRI scan in Florence, which confirmed a subtotal damage of the anterior cruciate ligament. They are doing further exams in Turin right now to establish the severity of his injury. Should the damage be total, Marchisio would need to undergo surgery; should it be subtotal, it could be possible for recovery to just involve muscle strengthening exercises,” commented the head of the medical team Enrico Castellacci. 
Castellacci also explained why Pasqual had to leave training camp and confirmed Florenzi’s current situation. “Pasqual suffered a blow. It’s nothing serious but he still felt uncomfortable making certain movements so we thought it best to let him return to his club. Florenzi has been suffering with a knee problem since the start of the training camp. We immediately realised that he wouldn’t have been able to take part in the first match; we are hoping that he will be available for the England friendly on Tuesday,” concluded Castellacci.  For the press release on Bulgaria-Italy click here Azzurri’s shirt numbers for the Bulgaria qualifier  Goalkeepers: 1 Buffon (Juventus), 18 Marchetti (Lazio), 12 Sirigu (Paris Saint-Germain);
Defenders: 15 Barzagli (Juventus), 19 Bonucci (Juventus), 3 Chiellini (Juventus), 2 Moretti (Torino), 13 Ranocchia (Inter);
Midfielders: 5 Antonelli (Milan), 21 Bertolacci (Genoa), 6 Candreva (Lazio), 11 Cerci (Milan), 4 Darmian (Torino), 16 Parolo (Lazio), 8 Soriano (Sampdoria), 14 Valdifiori (Empoli), 10 Verratti (Paris Saint-Germain);
Forwards: 17 Eder (Sampdoria), 22 Gabbiadini (Napoli), 9 Immobile (Borussia Dortmund), 20 Pellé (Southampton), 23 Vazquez (Palermo), 7 Zaza (Sassuolo). Schedule Saturday, 28th March
21:45 local: EQ match BULGARIA vs. ITALY
Followed by a press conference and transfer to the airport
01:50 local: Flight AZ8081 from Sofia to Turin
04:15 CET: Arrival in Turin and transfer to the hotel Sunday, 29th March
14:30 CEST: Press conference Prof. Castellacci – Press room, Juventus Stadium
18:30 CEST: Training session at the Turin Olympic Stadium – BEHIND CLOSED DOORS Monday, 30th March
10:30 CEST: Training session at the Turin Olympic Stadium – BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
17:15 CEST: Training session at the Juventus Stadium – OPEN to the press for the first 15 minutes
Followed by a press conference (Head coach + 1 player) Tuesday, 31st March
20:45 CEST: FIFA international friendly: ITALY vs. England
Referee: Felix Brych (GER); Assistants: Mark BORSCH / Stefan LUPP (GER); Fourth official: Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni
Followed by a press conference 
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