Inter's Motta set to miss Trabzonspor opener
Thursday, September 8, 2011
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Thiago Motta is likely to sit out FC Internazionale Milano's UEFA Champions League Group B match against Trabzonspor AŞ after sustaining a thigh strain playing for Italy.
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Midfielder Thiago Motta is unlikely to feature in FC Internazionale Milano's UEFA Champions League group stage opener against Trabzonspor AŞ on 14 September after picking up a thigh strain on national-team duty.
The Brazilian-born Italian international was substituted after 45 minutes of the Azzurri's 1-0 victory over Slovenia on Tuesday which secured their qualification for UEFA EURO 2012. Scans taken on Wednesday showed that Motta has what Inter describe as "a first-degree left thigh strain" although it is uncertain for how long the former FC Barcelona, Club Atlético de Madrid and Genoa CFC ball-winner will be sidelined.
The 29-year-old Motta is doubtful to travel to Sicily for the Nerazzurri's opening Serie A game against US Città di Palermo on Sunday and his involvement against Trabzonspor in Inter's UEFA Champions League Group B curtain-raiser at San Siro three days later is similarly under threat.