Verratti blow for Italy

Italian midfielder Marco Verratti was Friday ruled out of Euro 2016 after his Paris Saint-Germain club revealed he will undergo groin surgery on May 16.

Verratti's absence from the June 10-July 10 tournament in France is a major blow for Italy coach Antonio Conte with the 23-year-old joining Juventus's Claudio Marchisio on the sidelines.

Marchisio was ruled out of the Euros with a left knee injury and won't play again until September.

"It's always his groin problem, he has made progress but he is still feeling some discomfit," said PSG coach Laurent Blanc.

"We do not want to take any risks with Marco. He is an exceptional player. He has had the problem for two and a half months."