Yesterday, England's centre back Rio Ferdinand suffered a knee injury during training. Capello's staff are not optimistic: Ferdinand's World Cup is "almost certainly over." If true, England loses its star defender and (according to Football365.com) one of their "few world-class footballers."
Even more shockingly, Didier Drogba injured his elbow during an Ivory Coast friendly against Japan. Some are optimistic right now about his chances to make it to South Africa, while others remain sceptical. The Associated Press reports that Drogba himself isn't very hopeful.
And to top off a disastrous day, Italy's Andrea Pirlo's (a significant contributor to Italy's 2006 win) old calf problems seem to be bothering him again. This could be disastrous for the team's game and morale, especially after the Camoranesi scare last week. Italy just lost a seemingly easy friendly to Mexico which evidenced some ugly teamwork and worrisome physical condition. Most of the Italian press suspends judgment: this article reports that Pirlo has left the team for now and that initial medical reports speak of a 15-20 day prognosis... which would put him out of injury list just before Italy's second game against New Zealand. Again, it doesn't look good.
Meanwhile, the usual "summer dance" of coaches doesn't stop just because it's World Cup time; and, if anything, it's even more hectic right now. As everybody knows now, Benitez left Liverpool after a (mostly losing) 6-year streak. As for Capello, after being tempted by FC Inter owner Massimo Moratti to return to Italy, he seems intentioned to see England through to Euro 2012. And of course, Cesare Prandelli signed to be Italy's next coach after the World Cup. Prandelli should have gotten this job two years ago, after Donadoni was rightfully kicked out the door and before Lippi was dragged out of retirement like a Hollywood action-movie hero, as if there were no other talented coaches around.....
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