Zambrotta injured

FLORENCE: Defender Gianluca Zambrotta will likely miss Italy’s opening World Cup game against Ghana because of a left thigh injury. Team physician Enrico Castellacci said on Tuesday Zambrotta would be out for 15-20 days, meaning he could also miss Italy’s second game against the United States. The Azzurri play Ghana on June 12, the United States five days later, and close group play against the Czech Republic on June 22. Zambrotta was injured in an informal training game against a local amateur side on Sunday.

Klose leaves camp

FRANKFURT: Germany striker Miroslav Klose left the team’s training base in Switzerland to deal with a private matter and was expected to play in Tuesday’s World Cup warmup game against Japan. Klose left the camp after practice on Monday afternoon, the German soccer federation said. The team returned home on Tuesday after 10 days in Switzerland. Germany was set to play Japan on Tuesday evening in Leverkusen. Captain Michael Ballack has recovered from an ankle injury and is also available to play, the federation said.

Petkovic calls up his son

BELGRADE: Serbia-Montenegro coach Ilija Petkovic called up his son, Dusan Petkovic, as a replacement for injured striker Mirko Vucinic in the World Cup squad on Tuesday. Belgrade media called Petkovic’s decision a “scandal” and “a self-goal” because midfielder Dusan has not had an impact in the national team and did not take part in World Cup qualification. Vucinic damaged ligaments in his left knee during a 1-0 loss to Germany at the U-21 European Championships in Portugal a week ago. Vucinic was one of two Montenegrins in Ilija Petkovic’s original 23-man roster.