Italy midfielder Daniele De Rossi has been ruled out of Tuesday's Euro 2012 qualifier against Serbia with a minor leg muscle injury, the Italian soccer federation said in a statement on Monday.
The combative AS Roma man has been a pivotal part of the Italian side for over four years and his loss will be a blow to coach Cesare Prandelli given the Group C game in Genoa is expected to be physical encounter.
Sampdoria's Angelo Palombo is likely to take De Rossi's place for the game, where a win against the struggling Serbs would keep Italy top with 10 points from four games.
Prandelli said he would not be making huge changes despite Friday's 0-0 draw in Northern Ireland but training sessions suggest he may switch his formation from 4-3-3 to 4-3-1-2 with Giampaolo Pazzini partnering Marco Borriello upfront.