Italy`s El Shaarawy in doubt for Mexico clash

Rio de Janeiro: AC Milan striker Stephan El Shaarawy is in doubt for Italy`s opening Confederations Cup match against Mexico slated for Sunday due to an injury.

The 20-year-old did not train for a second consecutive day Thursday with Azzurri officials blaming his absence on "muscle soreness”. El Shaarawy has been struggling for fitness since suffering a bruised ankle in a collision with Italy teammate Angelo Ogbonna late last month. Meanwhile midfielder Claudio Marchisio insisted that Italy`s 0-0 and 2-2 draws against the Czech Republic and Haiti in the past week had not dented the team`s confidence ahead of Sunday`s match at the Maracana stadium. "We aren`t satisfied with the way we have been playing but we are working as hard as we can to improve," the Juventus star said. "We are going to be very motivated and prepare ourselves the best we can." Italy have been drawn in Group A of the Confederations Cup alongside Brazil, Mexico and Japan. IANS