Almeyda injury blow for Inter
Sunday, January 26, 2003
Article summary
Internazionale FC midfield player Matías Almeyda will be out for two months after breaking his leg on Sunday.
Article body
Matías Almeyda will be out of action for two months after suffering a fracture of the fibula in his right leg during Internazionale FC’s 3-0 win against Empoli FC earlier today.
Early injury
The former S.S. Lazio and Parma AC midfield player was forced to leave the pitch in the first half of the match following a tackle by Empoli player Igli Vannucchi. Almeyda underwent a scan which confirmed the fracture and the Argentinian international will now miss the remainder of the UEFA Champions League's second group stage.
Significant contribution
Inter currently lead Group A with six points from two games after victories against Newcastle United FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Almeyda has been an important figure for Inter, scoring the second goal in Inter’s 4-1 win against the English side with a powerful 20-metre shot.
Injury list
Almeyda joins Hernán Crespo, Francesco Coco and Daniele Adani on Inter's injury list, while new signing Gabriel Batistuta is ineligible for the Champions League having already played in the competition with AS Roma.
Zanetti back in action
Inter coach Héctor Cúper is likely to replace Almeyda with Italian international Cristiano Zanetti, who is finally back to full fitness after recovering from the knee injury that kept him out of action for the first half of the season.
