Italian midfielder Antonio Conte has accused Romanian playmaker Georghe Haji of trying to break his leg after a crunching quarter-final challenge brought his Euro 2000 campaign to an end.

Juventus captain Conte suffered ankle ligament damage in the incident, and is likely to be out of action for up to a month.

Hagi was booked for the tackle and later sent off after receiving a second yellow for diving in the penalty area, bringing his brilliant international career to a controversial conclusion as Romania lost 2-0.

Conte said: 'Anyone who plays professional football knows how easy it is to break an opponent's leg. In that moment, I saw it was premeditated. I have no doubt that it was a foul designed to break my leg.'

Conte, whose injury required heavy bandaging and subsequently crutches to walk, is happy to stay with the Azzurri until the end of the tournament.

Video replays showed Hagi, himself a victim of a harsh tackle earlier in the match, step over the ball and stamp on Conte's right ankle.

'It's a shame,' Conte added. 'I was in good shape and playing well.

'I decided to remain with the team until the end, although I will not be playing. This is the third serious injury of my career, but I'm sure I will be as good as new.'

The door is now open for Luigi di Biagio to start against Holland on Wednesday. The Inter Milan midfielder, bothered by injury in the build-up to Euro 2000, replaced Conte in Saturday's quarter-final.

Azzurri captain Paolo Maldini also went off early in the second half with hamstring trouble and is uncertain for the semi-final against Holland.

'We have to find a new balance in midfield,' said Italy coach Dino Zoff.

'The most probable solution is to introduce di Biagio. Firstly, however, I want to verify Maldini's situation to see if he can recover for the semi-final. If he can't then I will change the situation.'