De Rossi injury not as bad as first thought
ROME (AP) — Roma says midfielder Daniele De Rossi's injury is not as bad as first thought.
De Rossi limped off in the 37th minute of Italy's 2-1 win over the Netherlands on Tuesday in a friendly, sparking fears he could miss the rest of the season.
Roma says tests have shown "the after-effects of an impact injury to the right side of his lower back, with evidence of bruising to the muscle and under the skin."
De Rossi will likely miss Saturday's Serie A match at Empoli but could be back for the second leg of the Italian Cup semifinals against city rival Lazio, where Roma trails 2-0.
Roma is second in the Italian league, eight points behind Juventus and two above Napoli.
