Inter and France feel Vieira loss
Friday, October 26, 2007
Article summary
A calf injury has ruled FC Internazionale Milano midfielder Patrick Vieira out of the rest of the group stage and France's bid to reach UEFA EURO 2008™.
Article body
FC Internazionale Milano have confirmed that Patrick Vieira is unlikely to play again this year, ruling the France midfielder out of the remainder of the UEFA Champions League group stage and the culmination of Les Bleus' UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying campaign.
Calf injury
The 31-year-old tore a muscle in his right calf at PFC CSKA Moskva on Tuesday and was substituted 17 minutes into the 2-1 success which lifted Inter a point clear at the top of Group G with three matches to play. Scans yesterday confirmed the extent of the injury, and Nerazzurri medical staff estimate Vieira will be out for around two months.
Draw needed
The former Juventus man has played just four competitive matches this term, and will not feature as France look to cement their place in Austria and Switzerland. Raymond Domenech's side top Group B and will advance to the finals with a draw in their final match in Ukraine on 21 November.