Italy's 3 injured players making progress

Italy midfielder Daniele De Rossi and defenders Giorgio Chiellini and Ignazio Abate are undergoing treatment for injuries and are hoping to return for Thursday's European Championship semifinal with Germany.

Team doctor Enrico Castellacci says that "all three are making progress and we will do everything possible, right down to the last minute, to make them available."

De Rossi has problem with his sciatic nerve, and left Sunday's penalty shootout win over England in the 80th minute.

Abate has a muscle problem in his left leg and Chiellini has a left hamstring problem.

Abate's replacement Christian Maggio picked up a yellow card that rules him out of Thursday's match in Warsaw. (mtq)