Dortmund despair at Amoroso blow

BV Borussia Dortmund will be without Marcio Amoroso for the start of their UEFA Champions League campaign and 1. Bundesliga title defence.

Achilles problem
The Brazilian striker, who hit 18 goals in 31 league appearances in his first season at the Westfalenstadion, has suffered an inflammation of his achilles tendon and will be missing for between six to eight weeks. Club doctors have said that Amoroso does not need an operation but he will need extensive treatment.

Chance for Bobic
Amoroso, 28, will be sorely missed as he has been a major success since joining Dortmund after five seasons in Italy with Udinese Calcio and Parma AC. He scored from the penalty spot in the 2001/02 UEFA Cup final but was unable to help his side avoid a 3-2 defeat by Feyenoord. Amoroso's injury may give a chance to Fredi Bobic, who spent the latter part of last season on loan at English club Bolton Wanderers FC.

Fitness doubts
Dortmund coach Matthias Sammer, who also has fitness doubts over Torsten Frings, Juan Ramon Fernandez and Ewerthon, will be keen to avoid losing any more players with the new campaign just a week away.  The champions feature in the Bundesliga curtain-raiser next Friday against Hertha BSC Berlin.

Race against time
Amoroso will almost certainly miss Dortmund's first Champions League game, as the first group stage gets under way on 17/18 September. However, he may well be back in time for Matchday Two the following week.