Barzagli's injury deepens Roberto Donandoni's defensive concerns

Italy defender Andrea Barzagli will miss the remainder of Euro 2008 with a knee injury sustained in training.

The 27-year-old was preparing for his side's quarter-final against Spain on Sunday but will now undergo surgery.

"He immediately underwent checks which showed a tear in the meniscus of the left knee," the Italian Football Federation said in a statement.

Barzagli played in Italy's 3-0 defeat by the Netherlands but was an unused substitute against Romania and France.

He and fellow central defender Marco Materazzi were dropped for the 1-1 draw with Romania and the 2-0 victory against the French.

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"The player has expressed a desire to stay with the squad but in the coming days he will have an operation," the statement added.

The Italians were already without captain and centre-half Fabio Cannavaro, who was ruled out of the tournament after rupturing ankle ligaments before the first group game.

Barzagli, who is in the process of moving from Palermo to VfL Wolfsburg in Germany, can not be replaced in the middle of the tournament, leaving Donadoni with limited options.