AC Milan midfielder Riccardo Montolivo is poised for an extended spell on the sidelines after suffering an ACL injury to his left knee during Thursday's World Cup qualifier against Spain.
Montolivo's club confirmed the news Friday with a statement on its website, adding the 31-year-old requires surgery after being forced off in the opening half of Italy's 1-1 draw at the Juventus stadium.
The Atalanta academy product came off in the 30th minute and was substituted for fellow Rossoneri midfielder Giacomo Bonaventura.
Milan did not offer a time frame for Montolivo's return.
Montolivo returned to the Azzurri fold during a Sept. 1 friendly with France after missing out on a deep Euro 2016 run because of injury. He was originally named to Antonio Conte's provisional 30-man squad in May, but was absent because of a calf concern. Two years earlier, he missed the World Cup because of a broken leg.
A versatile midfielder with 63 caps, Montolivo joined Milan in 2012 from Fiorentina, where he was named Serie A Young Player of the Year in 2007. He has since bagged seven goals in 119 appearances for the club.