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Rossi dismisses reports of fitness problems Giuseppe Rossi dismissed speculation Monday that he was omitted from Italy's World Cup squad because of concerns about his fitness.
Giuseppe Rossi dismissed speculation Monday that he was omitted from Italy's World Cup squad because of concerns about his fitness. Rossi only recently returned from a four-month layoff following his latest right knee injury but was included in Italy coach Cesare Prandelli's provisional 30-man squad. However, the United States-born forward was one of six players cut - along with injured midfielder Riccardo Montolivo - from the final 23-man list on Sunday. ''Everyone says out of shape: ask anyone the results from the tests during the week and the game. You will be shocked,'' Rossi wrote on Twitter on Monday. The 27-year-old Rossi has struggled with a number of serious injuries in his career and will now miss a third straight major international tournament. Rossi was also one of the final cuts for World Cup 2010 by then-coach Marcello Lippi, who said last week that he regretted that decision. He missed out on the European Championships in 2012 because of problems with his right knee. Rossi led Serie A with 14 goals in 17 matches with Fiorentina until he re-injured his right knee in January, sidelining him for four months. He has not played a full 90 minutes since returning a month ago and occasionally appeared hesitant in Saturday's friendly against Ireland. Rossi also sarcastically dismissed reports that fears about being injured again could affect his game. ''Challenges? Fear? What a laugh...'' Rossi continued on Twitter. ''With thought, I get there before the defender. Next time, as an amateur, I will wait for the defender and get kicked. ''Small details which I hold dear. Now the most important thing, however, is to cheer Italy. Forza Azzurri!'' Rossi will now return home to New Jersey as Italy prepares to fly to Brazil. ''He's upset,'' Rossi's agent Andrea Pastorello said. ''He really cared about the World Cup in Brazil. He made enormous sacrifices for five months. ''We won't cause a drama, Prandelli's decision will be calmly accepted,'' he added. ''The coach has the responsibility of making difficult decisions. We know that the reasons aren't technical ones.'' Italy opens its World Cup campaign against England in Group D on June 14 and then faces Costa Rica on June 20 and Uruguay on June 24. http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/102758.aspx
